Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents are searching for a man who shot two deputies at a traffic stop Thursday night, killing one of them.
A Blue Alert has been issued for Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr., 41, and he has been placed on the state’s Most Wanted List, TBI said.
TBI said that Blount County deputies attempted a traffic stop just before 8:30 p.m. in Maryville, about 15 miles south of Knoxville, but the driver was uncooperative and refused to get out of is SUV. The deputies tased him “with no effect.”
Kenneth DeHart has been added to the #TNMostWanted list. He’s wanted for First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, and Felon in Possession of a Weapon. A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
Have info? Call 1-800-TBI-FIND. pic.twitter.com/wMarY3gc4p— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) February 9, 2024
“At some point during the encounter, DeHart produced a gun and fired shots, striking both deputies,” TBI said. “At least one of the deputies returned fire.”
DeHart fled the scene in his vehicle. The deputies were taken to the hospital, where one of them died. The other had serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
TBI has obtained warrants for DeHart’s arrest, charging him with first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, and felon in possession of a weapon.
The Blount County Sheriff’s Office identified the slain deputy as Greg McCowan and the wounded deputy as Shelby Eggers. The department said a $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to DeHart’s arrest.
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[Featured image: Greg McCowan/Blount County Sheriff’s Office]
