Black on WHITE: New information released in deadly Blount County deputy shooting, manhunt still underway for black male armed & dangerous

[Arheel's Uncle]

Warrants give new information in arrest of 2 connected to Blount County manhunt suspect

Two Blount County deputies were shot during a traffic stop, according to officials.

www.wvlt.tv

New information released in deadly Blount County deputy shooting, manhunt still underway​

Multiple agencies responded to an officer-involved shooting in Blount Co. Thursday, according to officials with the sheriff’s office.​

By Kelly Ann Krueger and Marvin Figgins
Published: Feb. 8, 2024 at 7:38 PM MST|Updated: seconds ago


MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The suspect’s brother was arrested in connection to the death of Deputy Greg McCowan, according to officials with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office.
District Attorney General Ryan Desmond said Marcus Erving DeHart was arrested Friday and charged with accessory after the fact.
Sheriff Berrong said the deputies pulled Kenneth DeHart over for erratic driving and failure to maintain a lane.
The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office told WVLT News Kenneth’s girlfriend was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
One deputy was killed and another was injured in Maryville while conducting a traffic stop Thursday just before 8:30 p.m., according to officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
TBI said the suspect, identified as Kenneth DeHart, would not cooperate with deputies and refused to get out of the vehicle. TBI reported that responders used a stun device during the stop, but it had no effect. At some point during the stop, DeHart pulled a gun and fired shots, hitting both deputies, according to the TBI.
Deputy Greg McCowan was killed and Deputy Shelby Eggers was shot multiple times in the leg, officials said, adding that Deputy Eggers was released from the hospital to recover at home.
The shooting happened in the 4900 block of Sevierville Road in Maryville, and multiple agencies are still on the lookout for DeHart.

“DeHart is considered armed and dangerous. If you see DeHart, do not approach him. Call 911 immediately if you encounter him,” officials said.
Warrants were issued for DeHart for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm with no bond, according to Blount Co. Sheriff James Berrong. DeHart also has a criminal history. Officials with the Tennessee Department of Corrections confirmed that Dehart was previously sentenced for felony aggravated assault and felony reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation then issued a Blue Alert and added DeHart to the TBI’s Most Wanted list.

“At this time, there is no known clothing description and no known direction of travel,” TBI officials said.
A tip line was set up for anyone with information on where the suspect might be. The Blount County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone in the Wildwood area to check outdoor security or doorbell cameras for any suspicious activity or people from overnight Thursday evening. Those with information should call 865-981-7125.
An additional number to call with information on the investigation is 1-800-TBI-FIND.
Several people and agencies, including the TBI and Smith & Wesson CEO Mark Smith, are offering rewards for information.

‘A hero both in life and death’ | Who was fallen Blount County Deputy Greg McCowan?​

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Suspect taken into custody after standoff in North Knoxville, police say​

Published: Feb. 8, 2024 at 2:05 PM MST

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Knoxville Police Department took a suspect, later identified as Malik Griffin, 26, into custody Thursday after a standoff in North Knoxville, police officials confirmed to WVLT News.

Greene County Sheriff’s Department, TBI investigating bodies found in Chuckey​

 

[Arheel's Uncle]

Tennessee authorities search for suspect in shooting of 2 sheriff’s deputies

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. We had an officer killed tonight.”

nypost.com

Tennessee authorities search for suspect in shooting of 2 sheriff’s deputies​

By
Associated Press



Published Feb. 9, 2024, 6:39 a.m. ET


Authorities in eastern Tennessee were searching early Friday for a suspect they say was involved in a shooting that killed one sheriff’s deputy and left another wounded.
Warrants have been issued for 42-year-old Kenneth Dehart, who is wanted on suspicion of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm after the Thursday evening shooting, Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong said in posts on the department’s Facebook page.
Deputy Greg McCowan was killed in the shooting during a traffic stop.
A female officer was shot in the leg and returned fire.
She was being treated at a hospital, Berrong said.


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A Blount County Sheriff’s official shows a picture of Deputy Greg McCowan, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Maryville, Tennessee. AP
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. We had an officer killed tonight,” Berrong said during a news conference in which he was visibly upset.
“I’m so sorry that we’ve lost a young man. I talked to his family earlier. I apologized for not protecting him.”
A $10,000 reward has been offered, Berrong said.
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Kenneth Dehart, 42, is accused of shooting two Tennessee police officers, killing one of them. Blount County Sheriff's Office / Facebook
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Dehart is considered armed and dangerous and was last seen driving a silver Lexus. Blount County Sheriff's Office / Facebook
“We’re going to get this man off the streets of east Tennessee and put him behind bars,” he said.
Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the hunt for Dehart, who should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached if spotted, the sheriff’s office said.
Dehart was last seen in the city of Maryville, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said on social media.
Maryville is in Blount County and is located about 17 miles south of Knoxville.