2 years before Morgan Wallen’s arrest, Vandy student injured by chair tossed from bar rooftop

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - While Metro Nashville police say two officers narrowly missed being hit by a chair thrown from the rooftop above by county star Morgan’s Wallen Sunday night, a Vanderbilt student sustained a serious head wound when she became the victim of a similar crime two years before.

On March 26, 2022, Madison Ferguson was walking with a friend past Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Rooftop Bar when she was struck in the head by a metal chair thrown from three stories above.

Ferguson’s mother, Lisa, told WSMV4 Investigates that her daughter suffered a head wound requiring stitches.

“We’re very fortunate, she is fine (at the moment) but that is really yet to be seen given her injury,” Lisa Ferguson said.

Wyatt Whitlock, a resident of Newalla, Oklahoma, was arrested when he was identified by bar staff and admitted to throwing the chair by accident, according to the affidavit.

Whitlock also admitted to police that he had been drinking heavily. WSMV4 Investigates reached Whitlock by phone on Tuesday.

“Is there anything you want to explain why it happened? Do you want to say anything to the victim?” asked WSMV4 Investigates.

“No, not at the time,” Whitlock said.

When we asked if he had too much to drink that night, Whitlock hung up.

While police said that witnesses claimed that Wallen laughed after throwing the chair, Ferguson’s injury shows the seriousness of the crime.

“I’m simply dumbfounded,” said Benton McDonough, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife.

McDonough said he’s still at a loss to understand why anyone would throw a chair or stool off a rooftop. He also said while there are no rules for safety netting, they are exploring all options to address the problem, including considering wider barriers around rooftops.

“It also makes it more difficult for someone to actually throw an object from the roof,” McDonough said.

Ferguson’s mother said her daughter is still haunted by the injury.

“She’s apprehensive. She won’t walk on that side of the street anymore. We’re not sure what the future holds, but for now she’s doing well,” Lisa Ferguson said.

Whitlock was initially charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, but court records show he reached a plea deal and admitted guilty to reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.

Whitlock is on probation for two years and has already filed paperwork to have the charge expunged.