NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A Tennessee man accused of killing his former employer with a hatchet had tried to purchase a gun days before the attack but failed a background check, officials said Tuesday.
Domenic Micheli, 36, has been charged with criminal homicide in the June 4 slaying of his former boss, 46-year-old Joel Paavola, at a gym in Nashville. Police say Micheli killed Paavola with a hatchet and another bladed instrument.
Acting Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director Jason Locke told The Tennessean that “there could have been a whole lot more casualties” if Micheli had been able to purchase a gun.
Micheli attempted to buy a firearm on May 30 in Williamson County but was denied, TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said.
Locke said TBI “saw some things” in the background check and turned down the purchase but wasn’t specific about why it was denied.