SMYRNA, Tenn. (WKRN) — Authorities say a bullet casing found in the trash of a Smyrna residence helped them link a man and woman to a shooting on Interstate 24 that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old driver.

The shooting was reported at 7:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-24 near mile marker 64 on Saturday, July 12.

According to officials, Noah Taylor, 22, was shot on his way to work while driving toward Nashville on I-24 near Waldron Road. On Sunday, July 13, law enforcement announced Taylor had died from his injuries.

Then, on July 18, the same day as Taylor's funeral, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office announced they had made two arrests in connection with the 22-year-old's death.

Deputies said 40-year-old LaTashia McGowan and 41-year-old Glenn Branson, both from Smyrna, were charged with second-degree murder.

Now, arrest affidavits obtained by News 2 reveal how authorities were able to connect the duo to the deadly "road rage situation."

The arrest affidavit states that detectives determined that multiple rounds were fired from a dark-colored 2025 Infinity QX60, which was registered to McGowan. In addition, the court records detailed that her significant other—identified as Branson—was traveling on I-24 when the murder occurred.

In the paperwork, authorities reported an item found in the couple's residence helped lead to their arrest.

"During the examination of trash surrendered for removal by Branson, a fired cartridge casing was located inside trash. This fired cartridge casing was compared by the TBI to a fired cartridge casing located at the scene of the murder, which was concluded to have been fired from the same weapon," officials write in the affidavit.

Taylor's family told News 2 that they learned of the duo's arrest as they were heading to his funeral on Friday, July 18.

Branson is reportedly being held in the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on a $1 million bond. Meanwhile, McGowan is jailed on a $250,000 bond. Both are scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on Sept. 23.

No additional information was immediately released.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/bullet-casing-found-in-trash-link-smyrna-couple-to-deadly-i-24-shooting-court-records-say/