Nashville police: Solaren’s owner’s claims of assault by officer ‘unfounded’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - In the early morning hours of July 7 in downtown Nashville, the CEO of a security company facing scrutiny for wearing police identification, even though he is not state-certified law enforcement, called for assistance from real police officers.

That encounter resulted in a Metro Nashville police report describing Solaren CEO Jack Byrd as being, “extremely inebriated, aggressive and irate towards the suspect and officers.”

MNPD would also determine that Byrd’s claim that he was assaulted by an officer was unfounded.

The incident comes as Byrd and Solaren are being sued by former employees who claim wage violations.

A WSMV4 Investigation showed Byrd wears police identification even though he is not certified law enforcement. His company, Solaren, is at the center of our Thin Blurred Line investigation which has exposed how citizens wore police identification but also were not certified law enforcement.

Following our reporting, the state issued 62 civil violations against Solaren, citing dozens of cases where people lacking state police certification were allowed by the company to wear police identification.

On July 7 at 1:27 a.m., police body camera, surveillance video and Metro Nashville police reports show Byrd called 911 to report his car had been stolen from the Mason Lodge parking lot at 7th and Broadway.

Byrd reported to 911 that his Mercedes had $45,000 inside along with two handguns.

According to three calls with 911, Byrd claimed a former employee of his company, Solaren, stole his car. Because that employee was not determined by police to have committed a crime, WSMV4 Investigates is not naming him.

In a second call with 911, Byrd called and said he needed help immediately, as he was being threatened by the former employee who stole his car.

“Has he threatened you with the pistol? Has he pointed the pistol at you?” asked the 911 operator.

“He has. He grabbed it twice and already pulled it out of the holster. Twice,” Byrd said.

Byrd then can be heard saying, “Put the gun down. Put that f****** gun out of your hands, you a******.”

When officers arrived, according to an incident report, Byrd returned to the lot after celebrating his birthday to find his vehicle missing.

According to the incident report, Byrd learned that the previous employee, who was working at another security company, had the Mercedes towed from the lot.

That former employee told police he had a verbal agreement with the Mason Lodge to tow any vehicles that did not have Mason identification.

According to the incident report, Byrd told police the employee was retaliating against him after he fired the employee.

Surveillance video, obtained by WSMV4 Investigates, shows the former employee approaching Byrd, apparently leaning his hand on his waist beside his gun.

According to police body camera footage, Byrd can be seen getting frustrated with police that they aren’t arresting his former employee.

“We can let a vehicle be stolen and won’t prosecute, after I said I would prosecute,” Byrd said in the video. “I’m really mad that I don’t have a car.”

The incident report reads, “After a thorough investigation, given the conflicting statements from multiple parties, officers did not have enough evidence or probable cause to prosecute for any crime.

According to body camera footage, Byrd’s frustration with police continued as he called the towing lot.

At some point, Byrd hands his phone to Lt. Paul Stein, who then begins to speak to the towing lot while walking away.

According to the video, Byrd appears to be upset that Stein walked away.

“No, Paul,” Byrd says, walking behind Stein.

The video shows another officer, Corey Shultz, stops Byrd by putting his hand on his chest.

“You’re not going to walk up behind my lieutenant like that,” Shultz said.

“I’m not walking up,” Byrd said.

Byrd and Shultz then argued verbally about whether or not Byrd was approaching Stein.

“Shultz, Shultz, don’t do this. Don’t do this buddy,” Byrd said.

According to an MNPD assault investigation, Byrd alleged that Shutlz assaulted him when he placed his hand on his chest. A metro police investigator ultimately found no assault occurred, writing in the case summary that when he followed up with Byrd, “He refused to explain how he was assaulted.”

As we have done with every story, WSMV4 Investigates reached out to Byrd for comment.

Byrd responded by email, saying that he believed his car was stolen, that the former employee had retaliated against him, and “can’t speak to the MNPD and their action or inactions.”

WSMV4 Investigates then sent Byrd a copy of the assault investigation with police finding that no assault occurred, but he did not respond to the police findings.

The incident with the former employee comes as other former employees sue Solaren in a multi-plaintiff federal lawsuit, claiming the company misclassified security guards are independent contractors in order to avoid paying overtime.

Josh Autry, an attorney for the three former Solaren employees who are suing, said they are owed compensation. “I think they’re definitely frustrated. Anytime you’re putting in long hours in a week, you should be paid the amount mandated by federal law,” Autry said.

In a statement to WSMV4 Investigates, Byrd wrote about the lawsuit, “My personal and professional record regarding any and all legal actions speaks for itself, no losses, when I fight, I fight to win.”

You can read Byrd’s full statement here about the reported theft of his car and assault by the former employee

A note about Byrd’s statement: he states that he hopes, “You’ll be able to actually sit down and have a discussion with me as opposed to taking these drive-by-esque character shots.”

WSMV Investigates responded to Byrd with the following, “As you know, we have reported on several government investigations involving you and your businesses and will continue to do so in the public interest. We will always seek, and welcome, your on-the-record statements, and we continue to extend an open invitation to you and/or your attorney to sit for an interview.”

It should also be noted at the beginning of our investigations, Byrd agreed to an interview but then backed out.

If there’s something you think we should know about this story, please email Jeremy.finley@wsmv.com.

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