Tennessee Teen Charged With Federal Gun Offense After Armed Confrontation At Protest

 

A 19-year-old from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is facing a federal firearms charge after allegedly brandishing a gun at a protest in downtown Nashville on June 14, federal officials announced.

Elijah Millar was arrested following a confrontation at a “No Kings” protest held near Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Authorities say Millar, who was acting as a counterprotester, confronted demonstrators by yelling and spitting at them before drawing a firearm. Although he kept the weapon pointed at the ground, his actions reportedly caused alarm among attendees.

The protest was part of a nationwide day of demonstrations opposing Trump-era policies, with more than 2,000 events held across the country. While most events remained peaceful, there were isolated incidents, including a fatal shooting at a separate protest in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Millar was taken into custody at the scene by Nashville police and charged with disorderly conduct. According to federal prosecutors, a few days later, Murfreesboro police discovered Millar carrying another loaded firearm in a separate incident.

Federal authorities have now charged Millar with unlawful possession of a firearm, citing a 2023 conservatorship order from the Rutherford County Chancery Court. That order deemed Millar to be at risk of substantial harm and prohibited him from possessing firearms. A 2024 ruling reaffirmed the restrictions, describing him as a “disabled person needing care.”

“The right to peaceably protest government action is guaranteed by the First Amendment and cannot be infringed upon by armed individuals whose actions put people in danger,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee. “Our efforts to hold firearm offenders accountable are designed to keep all members of the public safe from potential violence.”

If convicted, Millar faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Nashville Field Office, along with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Murfreesboro Police Department.