Arrest Warrant Issued for Starlito in Batter'd & Fried Shooting [Updated]

Late Wednesday night, the Metro Nashville Police Department issued a warrant for the arrest of local hip-hop artist Starlito, born Jermaine Shute. According to police, the 32-year-old faces charges of aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with a shooting on Tuesday inside the Five Points restaurant Batter'd & Fried that left one man injured.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, MNPD released a statement naming 36-year-old James Fletcher as the victim of the shooting. According to the release, security camera footage shows Fletcher, who is out on bail for charges stemming from a May arrest, entering the restaurant Tuesday night and engaging in a verbal confrontation with two men who were already inside. WSMV reports that one of the men demanded that Fletcher hand over his gold chain — a detail not mentioned in the statement from the police. Fletcher reportedly punched the man, and a scuffle ensued off-camera that ended with Fletcher being shot in his left thigh. The other two men fled the scene, and witnesses report seeing one man tuck a pistol into his waistband.

Here's the full text:

August 2, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        

East Precinct detectives expect to seek an arrest warrant later today in connection with Tuesday night’s shooting inside Batter’d & Fried restaurant on Woodland Street. James Fletcher, 36, was hit in the left thigh.         

Fletcher had words with two other men just as he entered the restaurant. Surveillance video shows that Fletcher punched one of the men. The fight continued off camera. A witness reported seeing one of the two others put a pistol into his waistband before he fled the restaurant.

Fletcher was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment. He refused to cooperate with detectives who attempted to interview him. Fletcher has a lengthy arrest history and is presently free on $45,000 bond in regard to his May 1st arrest on felony marijuana and gun charges.         

The investigation is continuing at this hour.

The arrest confirms rumors which circulated on Wednesday suggesting that Shute was a suspect in the incident. There is no apparent connection to Shute's

with fellow Nashville rapper Young Buck, which either began or came to a head during a basketball game at Stratford High School on Sunday night.

Update Aug. 3, 10 a.m.: MNPD has tweeted that Shute surrendered.