Metro police have recovered the vehicle of the school custodian found shot to death this morning.
Police found the black Nissan Sentra — and other evidence — belonging to Malith Wiek, 33, in an East Nashville alley between Granada and Sharpe avenues.
Wiek’s body was found around 8 a.m. Wednesday next to a fence near the intersection of 42nd Avenue North and Indiana Avenue in west Nashville after a Metro school bus driver and another motorist, which the bus driver flagged down, stopped to check on the man, according to police.
According to a Metro police release, the car was sent to a police department garage for analyzing and processing.
Wiek, an African immigrant, wasn’t believed to live in the area where his body was found.
Wiek, of 5800 Maudina Avenue, worked as a custodian at Montgomery Bell Academy on West End Avenue. The incident apparently occurred after his shift at the school ended at 10 p.m. Tuesday. Metro Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said residents in the area told detectives today that they heard gunshots between midnight and 12:30 a.m.
In a release from MBA Headmaster Bradford Gioia addressed to the MBA community, Gioia wrote: “We are saddened and distressed by this loss. Malith was beloved by students and faculty and staff. He came to the United States from Sudan and has been a loyal and dedicated member of the MBA community. This is indeed very sad news that I share with you today.”
Gioia wrote that counseling staff and advisors would be available to talk to students.
In a past article on an MBA alumni Web page, teacher Emmett Russell was quoted as saying Wiek used his feet for transportation while still in Sudan — “He often ran 60 miles in a day.” The practice continued when he moved to Nashville and had to run along White Bridge Road because he had no car at the time.
The article said Wiek had a statuesque presence and magnetic personality.
Police encourage anyone with information on Wiek’s murder, to contact Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME, or text the word “CASH” along with their message to 274637 (CRIMES).