Greater than $80,000 in reward cash has been pledged for data resulting in the arrest of 42-year-old Kenneth DeHart, Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong mentioned, as regulation enforcement in jap Tennessee continued their search Saturday for a person who’s accused of fatally capturing one sheriff’s deputy and injuring one other throughout a site visitors cease.
On Saturday, the Blount County Sheriff’s workplace warned residents dwelling within the Wildwood space, that “there shall be a big regulation enforcement presence” early within the afternoon “because of a non-tactical floor search that can happen.”
Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong mentioned warrants have been issued for Kenneth Dehart for first-degree homicide, tried first-degree homicide, and felon in possession of a firearm in a Fb put up.
Deputy Greg McCowan, 43, was killed within the capturing, whereas Deputy Shelby Eggers, 22, was handled at a hospital and launched, the sheriff’s workplace mentioned Friday.
Blount County Sheriff’s Workplace
“We’re dedicated to trace him down,” Berrong mentioned Friday. “We will get him and he will be delivered to justice in Blount County.”
The bureau mentioned in a Friday information launch that deputies had initiated a site visitors cease on a sport utility automobile. The automobile had been stopped on suspicion of erratic driving, mentioned Ryan Desmond, the district lawyer normal for Blount County.
The motive force, recognized by authorities as DeHart, refused to get out of the SUV, and a deployed stun gun had no impact, the bureau mentioned. The motive force produced a gun and fired pictures, hanging each deputies. Then, no less than one deputy returned fireplace, and DeHart drove from the scene, the bureau information launch mentioned. McCowan later died at a hospital, based on authorities.
Desmond mentioned Friday that DeHart’s brother had been arrested and charged with being an adjunct for aiding the suspect after the murder. The brother was jailed and Desmond mentioned he confronted a Monday court docket look. A girl recognized by media retailers because the capturing suspect’s girlfriend additionally was arrested on an adjunct cost Thursday night time in adjoining Sevier County, the place data present she was additionally jailed Saturday.
A procession of regulation enforcement automobiles joined a hearse containing McCowan’s physique that traveled on Friday by means of Maryville, which is about 17 miles (27 kilometers) south of Knoxville.
McCowan started his profession as a deputy in 2020 after graduating from a regional regulation enforcement coaching class, Berrong mentioned Friday.