Mark Capps Cause of Death Horrifying: Recording Engineer Shot, Killed at 54

Mark Capps, a Grammy-winning recording engineer from Nashville, was shot and killed by a SWAT team. He was 54.

Police shot Capps, who held his wife and stepdaughter captive at gunpoint, after finding him armed in his doorway Thursday afternoon, Variety confirmed. A SWAT team member shot him.

Metro Nashville Police Department's Don Aaron spoke during the critical incident briefing in which he revealed SWAT team was called in to the area to assist in an accident involving the recording engineer. The 54-year-old was wanted on two counts of aggravated kidnapping and two counts of aggravated assault after an incident in their home.

According to the authorities, Capps woke up his wife and stepdaughter around 3:00 a.m. and gathered them at gunpoint in the living room. He reportedly refused to let them go while repeatedly pointing his pistol at them and threatening to kill them if they asked for help.

"He told them if they called someone, he would kill them," Aaron said, per News Channel 5. "They were extremely frightened by him and his actions toward them in not letting them leave."

Capps also told them he would kill them once police showed up at the house.

After the recording fell asleep, the mother-stepdaughter left with their pets and drove to a police precinct nearby. The women detailed what happened and said they were afraid of him.

Arrest warrants were issued around 2:00 p.m. Thursday, alerting SWAT officers to go to the house. While three members were positioning outside, Capps reportedly opened the door while holding his pistol.

One veteran officer who responded asked Capps to show his hands. He opened fire and shattered the glass door thrice while shouting for him to do what he was tasked to do as he was still considered an immediate threat.

Capps died two days after his brother, Jeffrey Allen Caps, passed away.

Mark Capps' Work as Recording Engineer

Before his death, Capps notably worked with several artists as a recording engineer.

Among the musicians he collaborated with included Alabama, Amy Grant, Brooks & Dunn, Barry Manilow, Michael W. Smith, and Dixie Chicks.

He was the son of legendary Grand Ole Opry guitarist and Musicians Hall of Famer Jimmy Capps. The patriarch died on June 1, 2020

Capps won a Grammy for Best Polka Album for his work alongside Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra from 2005 to 2008.