Authorities in East Tennessee were searching for a suspect believed to be involved in a shooting early Friday that left one sheriff’s deputy dead and another injured.
Blount County Sheriff James Lee has issued a warrant for 42-year-old Kenneth DeHart, who is wanted on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm after a shooting Thursday night. Served. Bellon said in a post on the department’s Facebook page.
Deputy Greg McCowan was killed in a shooting during a traffic stop.
A female police officer was shot in the leg and fired back.
Bellon said she was being treated at a hospital.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. A police officer was killed tonight,” Veron said at a news conference, looking visibly shaken.
“I’m so sorry for the loss of a young man. I just spoke to his family. I apologized for not being able to protect him.”
A $10,000 reward is being offered, Bellon said.
“We’re going to take this man off the streets of East Tennessee and put him behind bars,” he said.
The sheriff’s office said multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the search for DeHart, who is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached if found.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said on social media that DeHart was last seen in Maryville.
Maryville is located in Blount County, approximately 27 miles south of Knoxville.
