Stabbing victims kept to themselves in peaceful West Nashville neighborhood before attack

The West Nashville neighborhood that was home to a bizarre fatal stabbing on Friday is still not sure how to react to the news. 

Donald and Leigh Ann Zirkle were at their Cherokee Park home when a man walked up to them on the back porch and asked for directions, Metro Nashville Police have said. 

Then he attacked the couple with a sharp instrument and left the scene, MNPD report. 

Leigh Ann Zirkle, 58, was able to run through the house and out the front door in an attempt to get help before collapsing in the street. 

Peter Bohning, 34, the man accused in the attack, was fatally shot Monday morning by law enforcement in western Texas. Metro police said Bohning was shot by a Gaines County Sheriff's Office deputy during a suspicious vehicle check.

Donald Zirkle died after being transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, police said. Leigh Ann Zirkle remained hospitalized in critical condition on Monday morning. 

Stabbing victims kept to themselves

Donald Zirkle was a substitute teacher for Metro Nashville Public Schools. His wife, authorities said, worked for Caterpillar in Nashville.

Most recently Donald Zirkle worked as a substitute at Croft Middle School and H.G. Hill Middle School, Metro Schools spokeswoman Dawn Rutledge said.

He attended Tennessee State University as well as Vanderbilt University, according to his resume, and was a member of the American Council on Germany and National Education Association.

News of their death shocked their normally peaceful, middle-class neighborhood on Cherokee Road in the Cherokee Park neighborhood, just off West End Avenue, near McCabe Golf Course and Sylvan Park. 

Christina Young, who lives across the street from the couple, said she saw the Zirkles from time to time.

“I just saw them gardening and tooling around in their garage," she said. "From talking to everyone, it seems they kind of kept to themselves.”

Just days after the horror of the stabbing, Cherokee Park projected an image of perfection, with blooming flower bushes and manicured lawns as neighbors returned to their daily routine.

Family and friends took to social media Monday asking for prayers for the couple and their loved ones.

"Please say a prayer for Leigh Ann and Don Zirkle," the couple's cousin, Toby Werrbach, posted on Facebook. "They were attacked and stabbed. ... They are my cousins."

"I’ve lived on Cherokee rd for 10 years now. My heart is broken for this family," Veda Radanovich replied to Werrbach's post.2 this," Joan McGee Toby posted. "I will keep them and your whole family in my prayers."

Investigation ongoing

According to a preliminary investigation, the Zirkles were sitting on their back porch Friday when Bohning approached and asked for directions before attacking the couple with a sharp instrument. 

After the stabbing, Bohning's gray four-door Subaru with a Connecticut license plate was found parked outside the victims' house with its doors left open and showing front-end damage.

During the altercation around Bohning's arrest, police said, the deputy was stabbed but was expected to recover.

Bohning was shot by a Gaines County Sheriff's Office deputy after the officer responded at 7:20 a.m. to a call about a suspicious vehicle behind a business, police confirmed. 

The vehicle — a gray 2010 Toyota Camry — belonged to the Zirkles and was taken from them after they were stabbed at their West Nashville home Friday afternoon, Metro police spokesman Don Aaron said.

Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Sgt. Oscar Villarreal said that when the deputy made contact with Bohning at 1350 U.S. Highway 62-180 in Seminole, Texas, and asked him for identification, Bohning attacked the deputy.

"During the deputy's encounter with Bohning, the deputy was stabbed in the chest and Bohning was shot fatally," Aaron said.

Police said they were unaware of any connection between the Zirkles and their assailant.

How to help Leigh Ann Zirkle

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Leigh Ann Zirkle during her recovery. Its goal is to help her cover the cost of multiple surgeries, rehabilitation, as well as to help her get through the loss of her husband.

Tennessean reporters Joseph Choi and Mariah Timms contributed to this report. Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.