One dead following bus pass dispute

Jen Lawson

Tuesday, June 28, 2005 | 11:19 a.m.

At the root of an argument between two roommates that left one man dead of a shotgun blast to the chest was a disagreement over a missing bus pass, Metro Police said.

Christopher Lane, 19, was arrested on suspicion of homicide shortly after 33-year-old William Hollingsworth was shot Friday morning in an apartment in the St. Charleston Village complex on Charleston Boulevard near Rainbow Boulevard.

However, Lane, who is 5 feet 6 inches and 140 pounds, said he shot Hollingsworth -- described as a "large frame" man -- in self-defense after Hollingsworth tried to attack him in the hallway, according to police.

Jorge Durkin rents the apartment and allowed Hollingsworth and Lane to move in with him less than a month ago, police said.

Durkin told police that he confronted Lane over his missing bus pass Friday morning and accused Lane's girlfriend of taking it, the police report says.

Hollingsworth got involved in the argument and Lane went into the bathroom and came back with a 12-gauge shotgun, police said.

"Hollingsworth, who was unarmed, made a statement to the effect he was not afraid of a shotgun and started to walk in Lane's direction," the police report says. Lane fired one round, hitting him on the right side of the chest.

Lane told police he shot Hollingsworth because the larger man lunged at him, the report says, and he feared for his safety.

Lane ran from the apartment with the shotgun, ditching it and some unexpended shotgun shells in a nearby yard.

Durkin stayed in the apartment and called 911. Police spotted Lane at a nearby apartment complex and arrested him.

Reached by phone Monday, Durkin refused to comment.

"My friend was killed. Just let it be," he said.