Family prepares to say goodbye to son after he was allegedly knocked unconscious by bar security guard
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - A family is trying to figure out how to say goodbye to their son as they plan to make the difficult decision to take 26-year-old Austin Turner off life support.
The Metro Nashville Police Department said Austin Turner was knocked unconscious by a licensed security guard at a Nashville bar a couple of weeks ago. His family said they’re begging the public to help figure out what happened.
Turner’s family described him as kind, giving, selfless and never aggressive, and they said they hope that’s how he’s remembered.
“He was funny,” said Taylor Felts, his sister. “He was just the best big brother.”
“I got to speak to my son for the last time on Friday two days before it happened,” said his father Josh Turner. “And I just wished I had stayed on the phone a little bit longer.”
His family learned Austin Turner was in the ICU at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was hospitalized with a fractured skull that led to a massive stroke from which he would not recover.
“I know in my heart of hearts that my son was not doing anything that provoked this kind of attack,” his stepmom, Meagan Turner, said.
Austin Turner’s family said he was at Tin Roof off Demonbreun Street around midnight on Feb. 18 to celebrate a DraftKings sports betting win with friends. His parents said the group ordered a ride home and left, while Austin Turner said he was waiting on his ride.
“His friends asked him if he was good like, ‘Hey, you good? Want us to wait until your Uber gets here?’” Meagan Turner said. “He said he was fine. He didn’t have any reason at that point to know that this was going to be his fate.”
The Metro Nashville Police Department said Austin Turner tried to go back into Tin Roof but was denied reentry. That’s when police said a licensed security guard, 36-year-old Richard Cornelius, knocked him unconscious.
Cornelius was charged with aggravated assault and has bonded out of jail.
“So, he is walking around while our son is lying in a hospital bed,” Meagan Turner said.
His family said they don’t know what led up to the attack. They haven’t seen any video, so they are asking the public to help.
“How it was provoked and things like that, we are still a little grainy,” Meagan Turner said.
Austin Turner turned 26 on Sunday in a coma. His family knows going forward, they won’t be able to celebrate his special moments in life, all because of a fight that led to an outcome they believe he didn’t deserve.
“Unfortunately, Austin is not going to win this fight,” Meagan Turner said.
Austin Turner is an organ donor. His family plans to work with the hospital to find recipients in the coming days.
The attorney representing Cornelius, Ben Powers, said he had no comment.
On Wednesday, a Reed Public Relations employee sent the following statement on behalf of Tin Roof CEO Bob Franklin: “We can’t comment on an ongoing investigation, but we are fully cooperating to aid law enforcement in their efforts and will continue to do so. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Austin Turner.”
WSMV reports Cornelius has since had his license suspended.
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