More than a year after he was fired from his job and making a multi-state tour that included an arrest outside the White House, 36-year-old Domenic Micheli allegedly returned to Nashville, Tenn., and slaughtered his former boss with at least one hatchet.
Nashville police are still searching for Micheli, who will be charged with murdering his ex-boss Joel Paavola outside The Balance Training center, located in a shopping center near the Tennessee state Capitol.
“Search continues for accused murderer Domenic Micheli,” the Metro Nashville Police Department wrote on Twitter, including a picture of Micheli “from his April 2018 arrest in Washington, D.C. for unlawful entry at a checkpoint near the White House.”
Search continues for accused murderer Domenic Micheli. This photo is from his April 2018 arrest in Washington, D.C. for unlawful entry at a checkpoint near the White House. See Micheli or know where he is? 615-862-8600. He is likely driving a silver Toyota Yaris or Prius. pic.twitter.com/Gio7IFDevK
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) June 4, 2018
Micheli was caught on security cameras pacing in the parking garage beneath The Balance Training Center Monday morning before the attack. He reportedly was carrying a hatchet and another sharp instrument — either another hatchet or a large knife — which he used to kill Paavola, Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron told The Tennessean. (RELATED: Nude Gunman Kills Four At A Tennessee Waffle House)
Paavola fired Micheli 14 months ago, according to police, after which Micheli wandered around the country, appearing in Oregon in August 2017 and then in Washington, D.C., in April where the Secret Service arrested him for unlawful entry after he sat behind the wheel of his car at a security checkpoint and refused to move.
This picture more closely resembles what Domenic Micheli looks like now. He was last seen driving this older model Toyota Yaris. Murder warrant being drafted. See Micheli or the car? 615-862-8600. pic.twitter.com/74u3YwNtpv
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) June 4, 2018
A Facebook account that may belong to Micheli posted a cryptic poem where the writer refers to himself as the “Sun of God.”
The June 1 post, reported by The Tennessean, reads:
I’ve sensed there has been some
Confusion about things recently
Amongst the people.
Some people, even the strong faithful
Have indeed waivered (sic) in their belief of
Me as being the Sun of God
And their leader.
They say, this is a fine mess he has made
Of things.
It’s unclear what job Micheli held at the gym before he was fired. The victim, Paavola, was regarded as a fitness master and was well respected by those around the gym.
“I went through boot camp twice with Joel,” Randy Rayburn, a Nashville restaurant owner, told The Tennessean. “He was one of the nicest, most dedicated human beings. Joel was one of the most enthusiastic and well-rounded people I’ve ever known in my life. I worked out with him for a couple years (at another gym). He was just a wonderful father and human being.”
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