http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/01/04/06981013.shtml?Element_ID=6981013
Friday, 07/27/01

I-40 shooting involved robbery attempt
By SHEILA BURKE
Staff Writer

Wednesday night’s shooting on an exit ramp on Interstate 40 east was the
result of road rage that turned into a botched robbery attempt, police
said.

Chaz Ellis, 24, was shot after he pulled a gun on a driver who was
stopped at a red light on the I-40/Old Hickory Boulevard off- ramp in
Hermitage, police said. The driver of the other car, Anthony Palazolo,
24, Hermitage, grabbed the gun away from Ellis. Palazolo then produced
his own gun and shot Ellis.

Road rage between the occupants of two cars led to the confrontation at
the exit, Metro police spokesman Don Aaron said.

Palazolo told police he was driving eastbound on I-40 and witnessed a
1973 white Ford LTD speeding, driving erratically and weaving in front
of cars, almost to the point of running them off the interstate, Aaron
said.

”We’re really not sure what happened on the interstate prior to the
vehicles exiting.”

The drivers of each car gave conflicting accounts.

The driver of the LTD, Jesse Bratcher, 28, told police that Palazolo was
following him too closely. He told police that Palazolo made an obscene
gesture at him, Aaron said. However, Palazolo denies making the gesture.

When Palazolo exited the interstate and sat at the stoplight before
turning on Old Hickory Boulevard, the LTD’s driver followed and stopped
as well. Bratcher and Ellis cursed at Palazolo, and then Bratcher walked
up to Palazolo’s car and slapped him. Ellis pointed a gun at Palazolo
and demanded his wallet.

Palazolo then grabbed the gun, which was cocked, pulled it away from
Ellis and fired his own gun – for which, police said, he has a legal
permit to carry – and shot Ellis.

Bratcher and Ellis fled and tried to make it to a hospital before the
LTD was spotted driving wildly on I-40 west near Briley Parkway in
Donelson.

DUI Officer Steve Beck stopped the car and called an ambulance. Beck
noticed that
Bratcher smelled like alcohol and had watery eyes, Aaron said.

Ellis was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and was listed
in stable condition there last night.

The nature of his injuries was not available last night.

Police found marijuana in the trunk of Bratcher’s car and gave him a
breathalyzer test three hours after he was pulled over. Because of the
shooting and the crime scene, police had to wait to administer the
breath test, Aaron said. Bratcher registered .10%, which is legally
drunk, and was charged with driving under the influence and possession
of a controlled substance.

There were no charges filed against Palazolo. Investigators will present
the case to the Davidson County grand jury to determine whether he
should be charged. Police, however, think Palazolo was the victim, Aaron
said.

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