
Former Bravo star accused of hitting woman with rock-filled sock at Walmart
Diamond Tankard, 21, was formally charged on Saturday, July 19, with theft of property and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Davidson County court records show.
Tankard appeared on Bravo's "Thicker Than Water," a reality show that revolved around gospel jazz producer Ben Tankard and his family. The show ended in 2016 after running for three seasons, beginning in 2013, according to IMDB.
"A former NBA player turned gospel singer navigates the challenges of leading his blended family while growing their business empire through music, sports coaching, and motivational speaking," IMDB's synopsis for the show reads.
As of Tuesday, July 22, it is unclear if Diamond Tankard has a defense attorney. USA TODAY also contacted Ben Tankard's reps but did not receive an immediate response.
What is Diamond Tankard accused of doing?
A probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY says Nashville police were called to the Walmart on July 18 about an assault. When officers spoke with the victim, she told them that while at the self-checkout, Tankard "came from behind, grabbed her by the hair (and) began to assault her."
Following the assault, Tankard took the woman's $1,500 iPhone 14 and her $900 Louis Vuitton handbag, she told police, per the affidavit. Responding officers also noticed that the woman had a laceration above her left eye on her forehead, the court document continued.
The woman's grandmother, who police said witnessed the incident, recalled Tankard having a sock filled with rocks, which is what she used during the attack, according to the affidavit. Police contacted Walmart staff, who they said provided security footage which confirmed the woman's and her grandmother's recollection of the incident.
More news: Rapper Ca$h Out sentenced to life in prison on rape, prostitution ring charges
What did the Walmart security footage show?
After the alleged assault, the video shows Tankard gathering items from the ground, which police believe were the victim's iPhone 14 and Louis Vuitton handbag, before running from the store, the affidavit says. Officers also saw in the footage that Tankard had something white in her right hand before striking the woman, but they "couldn't make out what it was," the court document reads.
"Based on training and experience and the CCTV footage, officers formed the opinion (that) Ms. Tankard used a blunt object to strike (the victim)," the affidavit says.
The victim identified Tankard from a photo of the security footage, according to the affidavit. Following the incident, the woman was taken by Nashville EMS to a local medical center to receive stitches, police said, per the court document.
Following Tankard's arrest, she was given a $25,000 bond, which she has since posted, according to Davidson County inmate and court records. Her next court hearing is set for Aug. 22.
Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


NBC News
11 minutes ago
- NBC News
What we know about Michigan Walmart stabbings as suspect faces terrorism charge
Eleven people were injured Saturday after a 42-year-old man stormed into a Michigan Walmart and began stabbing shoppers in what authorities call a random attack. The victims, ages 29 to 84, were taken to the hospital in fair or serious condition in connection with the incident that occurred in Traverse City, Michigan, a Munson Healthcare spokesperson said. One customer described hearing commotion a few aisles over as she picked up items. Still shaken from the incident, Julia Martell said she fled down an aisle as the suspect barreled past someone and "angled toward me." "I'm still sitting and grappling with the weight of realizing that it was kind of a life-or-death moment," she said. The suspect, Bradford James Gille, was subdued by shoppers and taken into custody when a deputy arrived. He faces charges of assault with intent to murder and terrorism, authorities said. Who is Bradford James Gille? Sheriff's deputies in Emmet County, Michigan, were searching for Gille on Friday evening and Saturday morning after receiving a court order instructing deputies to take him into custody. The details of the court order are unclear. Deputies could not locate Gille, who is homeless with no known physical address in Emmet County, according to the order. "Regrettably, less than 24 hours after receiving this order, a tragic series of events occurred in Traverse City," the sheriff's office said in a Monday Facebook post. "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this devastating situation." Gille has a prior record of assault incidents and "controlled substance violations," Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael D. Shea said at a Sunday news conference. A motive in the stabbings remains unclear. Michigan officials said they are seeking a terrorism charge in addition to 11 counts of assault with intent to murder. The county prosecutor said that officials believe the attack was "in some ways done to affect the entire community" and to "change how maybe we operate on a daily basis." "That is why we're looking at that terrorism charge," Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg said. The FBI is assisting with the investigation. Authorities say the attack was random The incident began around 4:40 p.m. near the Walmart checkout area, according to authorities. Gille, armed with a folding knife with a 3 ½ inch blade, allegedly entered the store in Garfield Township and stabbed 11 people. One of the victims was a Walmart employee, the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. The sheriff's office said Gille was acting alone. Seven of the victims were taken to the hospital in fair condition, and four in serious condition. Witnesses recount horror Julia Martell, 32, said she was shopping when she heard a disturbance a few aisles over. She told NBC News that she initially did not think anything of it, but saw a man running with a knife. Martell said the suspect ran past someone and "angled toward" her before she ran until she found a group of people. The suspect looked "crazed" and was laser-focused on trying to get to the store's exit, she said. 'I could have easily been next,' Martell added. Michael Miller, 34, said he was one of the good Samaritans who helped subdue Gille until authorities arrived. He had walked into the store with his fiancée, Julia Ling, and four of their children when they heard people screaming. Ling said she pulled the children behind a bread rack. She said she saw Gille stab one victim in the produce section and another by the self-checkout. He then ran toward her and her children and lunged at them before turning his attention to Miller, she told NBC News. Miller and a group of other people pushed Gille out of the door and got him on the ground. Miller called 911, he said. Walmart said in a statement that "violence like this is unacceptable." "Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we're thankful for the swift action of first responders," the company said.


Fox News
11 minutes ago
- Fox News
Armed man, other bystanders stop Michigan Walmart stabbing suspect
A group of bystanders, including a man armed with a firearm, rallied together to help stop a suspect who stabbed 11 people at a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan, on Saturday. (Chris O'Brien via Storyful)


NBC News
3 hours ago
- NBC News
Venezuelans describe abuse at El Salvador prison and witnesses recount Michigan Walmart stabbing: Morning Rundown
Venezuelans that President Donald Trump sent to a notorious Salvadoran megaprison say they were describe being beaten and sexually assaulted. The U.S. and European Union reach a long-awaited trade agreement. And witnesses to the Michigan Walmart stabbing recount the scene. Here's what to know today. Venezuelans describe abuse and sexual assault at El Salvador megaprison Three Venezuelan men told NBC News they experienced physical and psychological torture, including one man's allegation that he was sexually assaulted, after the Trump administration sent them to a notorious megaprison in El Salvador. One said that he was sexually assaulted. Andry Hernandez Romero, Jerce Reyes and Andry Blanco Bonilla were held for four months in the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, which is known for its harsh conditions and reported abuse. They alleged ir allegations included beatings that left bruises and cuts, psychological abuse and the denial of necessities such as food or bathroom access. This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. The men were deported as part of the Trump administration's efforts using the Alien Enemies Act, but denied any ties to gangs and said they were unfairly targeted for their tattoos. They were released and flown to Venezuela on July 18 in a prisoner swap with the United States. → Hernandez, a 32-year-old gay asylum-seeker, said that during his imprisonment he was taken to solitary confinement, where prison staff 'made me kneel, perform oral sex on one person, while the others groped me and touched my private parts.' → Reyes said one of his hardest moments for him was when a prison official 'encouraged us to commit suicide' and told him 'this is how your whole nightmare ends.' Thinking about his family and sharing copies of the bible helped motivate him, he said. → Bonilla, who had gone to the U.S. to seek asylum, said he would never forget the words of a prison official who told the detainees, 'Welcome to CECOT. Welcome to hell.' Guards would beat detainees as they saw fit, and prison doctors would file false reports, he said. Now that they are back home with their families, the men have said they are demanding justice from Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. President Donald Trump announced a trade agreement with the European Union that would set tariffs at 15%, ending what had been months of uncertainty surrounding trade with the United States' largest trade partner. The tariff rate is a reduction from the 30% that Trump threatened on July 12 and the 20% he said he would impose on April 2. Announcing the agreement, Trump said the E.U. will not impose a tariff on U.S. imports. He added this agreement was 'satisfactory to both sides.' European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said alongside the president that the pact 'will bring stability. It will bring predictability. That's very important for our businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.' However, Trump said 50% tariffs on steel would remain unchanged and more tariffs could still be on the way for pharmaceutical products, which Ireland is one of the top sources of. The president recently threatened 200% tariffs on pharma goods. Also part of the deal, Trump said the E.U. will purchase '$750 billion worth of energy' and 'a vast amount of military equipment,' from the U.S., though a definitive purchase amount was not yet set. Here's what else we know. Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie have formed a bipartisan duo to push for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, but they're split over whether Trump should pardon Ghislaine Maxwell. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a member of the Freedom Caucus, announced he is running for governor, looking to succeed GOP Gov. Henry McMaster. After Israel announced a 'tactical pause' in fighting to let aid into Gaza, Sen. Lindsey Graham told NBC News' Kristen Welker that there's no way to negotiate with Hamas Democrats are planning to make Rep. David Valadao's support for Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' — and his vote for Medicaid cuts — a focal point of their campaign in a key midterm race. The Democratic Party shook up its presidential primary schedule in 2024, placing South Carolina out in front. State leaders want to keep it that way in 2028. Witnesses describe the Michigan Walmart stabbing Julia Martell was browsing the aisles of her local Walmart when she heard people screaming. As she turned the corner, she saw a man running down another aisle, and then she saw his knife. 'I booked it down the aisle,' she told NBC News. Martell said the man looked 'crazed' and laser-focused on getting to the exit. At that Traverse City, Michigan Walmart, 11 people were injured in a stabbing attack. The suspect, Bradford James Gille, was quickly subdued by other shoppers and arrested when a deputy arrived, the Grand Traverse County sheriff said. Michael Miller was one of the good Samaritans who assisted with the suspect's apprehension. He, his fiancée, Julia Ling, and four of their kids heard what they described as blood-curdling screams when they walked into the Walmart. The suspect 'lunged at us,' Ling said, and then a group trying to stop him pushed him out the door. Michigan prosecutors are seeking a terrorism charge against Gille in addition to 11 counts of assault with intent to murder. Staff Pick: Bitcoin's up. So are crypto kidnappings. Festo Ivaibi, Rocelo Lopes, and Muhammad Arsalan are three men of differing ages, living in different parts of the world, and have never met one another. Yet they all have a shared story. They've all been impacted by crypto kidnappings. I started researching the crime after the viral story of a New York crypto kidnapping in May. I discovered that incident was part of a much larger trend. The men I spoke with shared chilling stories of perpetrators threatening them and their families with physical abuse and taking them into unknown vehicles in the middle of the night, where they were extorted, assaulted, and robbed — all for access to their digital wallets. But they aren't the only ones. As interest in cryptocurrencies rises so does the price of bitcoin, and the number of crypto kidnappings. – Bruna Horvath, tech intern NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified For those with darker skin, white casts when using sunscreen can be a concern. The NBC Select team tested mineral sunscreens, and some of the best options won't leave behind an unsavory white cast. Plus, for those with acne-prone skin, it can be hard to find a makeup primer that doesn't cause breakouts. Here are our team's 13 favorite makeup primers.