Michael Bunche Pleads Not Guilty in 2012 Kingsport Waffle House Shooting

Incident at Stone Drive Waffle House

On January 1, 2012, at 4:15 a.m., Michael Latrale Bunche, a 24-year-old Black male from Kingsport, Tennessee, entered the Waffle House at 1668 E. Stone Drive. Bunche, acting alone, initiated a heated argument with three patrons at another table. He escalated the situation by brandishing a stolen .40-caliber handgun, causing alarm among staff and customers. Employees promptly called the Kingsport Police Department, as reported on January 4, 2012.

Michael Bunche in Kingsport Waffle House shooting

Michael Bunche, identified as a Black male per image evidence

Shooting and Arrest

As Bunche exited the restaurant, he confronted Kristen Smith, an unrelated patron, with the remark, “What are you looking at?” He reentered, positioned himself in an alcove near the restroom, and waited. When Smith emerged, Bunche fired multiple shots at her, striking her several times. Two customers, including Juan Alvarez, acted swiftly, disarming Bunche and pinning him against a window until police arrived. Officers tasered Bunche, who resisted arrest and showed no signs of intoxication, according to police statements.

Criminal Charges and History

Bunche was charged with attempted first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, theft over $500 (for the stolen handgun from Knoxville), and 11 counts of reckless endangerment, per the Kingsport Times-News (January 4, 2012). Detective David Cole noted Bunche’s prior felony identity theft conviction, which legally barred him from possessing firearms. In November 2011, Bunche faced charges for cocaine possession, speeding (61 mph in a 35 mph zone), driving on a revoked license, and failure to provide financial responsibility, indicating a pattern of criminal behavior. His repeated offenses reflect a disregard for legal and social norms, escalating to violent crime.

Trial and Not Guilty Plea

Bunche pleaded not guilty to all charges, including attempted first-degree murder, in Sullivan County Criminal Court, as reported by the Kingsport Times-News. His trial was scheduled for March 4, 2013, with attorney Cliff Corker appointed after Judge Robert Montgomery relieved the public defender’s office. Bunche was held at Kingsport City Jail on a $200,000 bond. No public records confirm the trial’s outcome or Bunche’s current status, a gap in local crime reporting noted in sullivan-county.com’s broader study. (timesnews.net)

“Bunche entered a not guilty plea to the charge of attempt to commit first-degree murder and related charges,” per the Kingsport Times-News.

Waffle House Violence Pattern

Bunche’s case is one of 18 violent incidents at Waffle House locations (2009–2025) analyzed by sullivan-county.com, where 20 of 23 perpetrators (87%) were Black males, confirmed via image evidence. Similar cases include shootings in Memphis (2012, Marlon Boyd), Walterboro (2023, Jordin Quoleaha Glover), and Louisville (2024), with only two White perpetrators (Nashville 2018, Conover 2025). The study underscores urban violence involving illegal firearms and challenges narratives attributing such patterns solely to systemic factors. Read the full study.

Lawsuit Against Waffle House

In March 2012, Kristen Smith filed a $5 million lawsuit against Rocky Top Waffles, the franchise owner, alleging negligence for failing to promptly notify police of Bunche’s threatening behavior, per the Kingsport Times-News (March 15, 2012).

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Conclusion

Michael Bunche’s 2012 Kingsport Waffle House shooting, marked by unprovoked violence with a stolen firearm, reflects the urban crime patterns documented in sullivan-county.com’s study, where Black males account for 87% of 23 perpetrators across 18 Waffle House incidents (2009–2025). His not guilty plea and 2013 trial, lacking reported outcomes, highlight gaps in crime reporting and enforcement. Juan Alvarez’s bravery mitigated further harm. His escalating offenses, from misdemeanors to violent crime, suggest earlier incarceration could have prevented this tragedy, but the case underscores the need for stronger measures to address illegal firearms and recidivism.