Bartender's Murder Investigation Continues; GoFundMe Launched

NASHVILLE, TN -- Metro Police crisscrossed the neighborhood around Daniel Shields' Delaware Avenue home Monday, continuing their search for information in the murder of the beloved 30-year-old bartender whose body was found inside his "bloody" apartment July 10.

Officers discovered Shields' body after breaking down his door during a welfare check after his boss at Ensley Avenue's Trax bar called police when Shields hadn't shown up for work for several days. He was last seen leaving Trax around 9:30 p.m. July 4. His Chevrolet Trailblazer was missing from his home and was found outside a Bell Road motel July 11.

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Angel Stacey, a friend of Shields', launched a GoFundMe Monday to raise $5,000 to send Shields' body back to Florida for a funeral.

"He was active in LGBTQ Community and (helped) anyone he could. He moved here 5 years ago from Florida to better his life and make something of (himself). He was on his way to greatness and someone took him from us. He was always smiling and his smile was contagious, he was always working and loved hanging out and having a good time and doing volunteer work," Stacey wrote. "His family is still in shock and I’m trying help take the burden (off) them and help with raising money to send him home and for a memorial."

In addition, a vigil and cookout in Shields' memory is planned for July 22 at Trax. The cookout begins at 3 p.m. with the vigil following at 6.

Photo via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner