A manhunt is underway for the man who shot and fatally wounded Blount County, Tennessee, Deputy Greg McCowan during a traffic stop around 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
The Knoxville News noted the suspect, identified as Kenneth Wayne DeHart, is on the run and faces “charges of first-degree murder” when caught.
Always remember: Deputy Sheriff Greg McCowan, Blount County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee https://t.co/WEEGaHBCKN pic.twitter.com/Mm65aenNYG
— Chief J. Banks (@J_Banks48) February 9, 2024
DeHart will also be charged with “attempted first-degree murder,” as he shot a second deputy, but the second deputy lived.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation posted a photo of DeHart:
A #TNBlueAlert has been issued for 42 y/o Kenneth Wayne DeHart.
He is wanted by the TBI and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office for Assault on two law enforcement officers.
He should be considered armed and dangerous.
Have info? Call 1-800-TBI-FIND. pic.twitter.com/0XyToKWlXa
— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) February 9, 2024
WVLT quoted Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong after the shooting, saying, “I’m so sorry that we lost him [McCowan]. I talked to his family earlier. I apologize for not protecting him.”
Berrong added:
Deputy McCowan was always smiling and friendly to everyone. He was awarded the Sheriff’s Office Lifesaving commendation in April 2021 for his part in saving the life of a man trapped in a burning vehicle. He was an EMR and was also recently accepted on the Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiations team and was excited to put his recent certification to use.
McCowan had worked with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office since 2020.
We urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to not approach him but to immediately contact law enforcement by:
Texting 274637 (CRIMES) with your tip
Visiting: https://t.co/Z837P81aBb
Calling BCGO at 865-981-7125
Calling TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND pic.twitter.com/Nkd0winIKH— Smith & Wesson Inc. (@Smith_WessonInc) February 9, 2024
AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment, also for Breitbart News. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio, a Turning Point USA Ambassador, and a pro-staffer for Pulsar Night Vision. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal in 2010 and holds a Ph.D. in Military History, with a focus on the Vietnam War (brown water navy), U.S. Navy since Inception, the Civil War, and Early Modern Europe. Follow him on Instagram: @awr_hawkins. You can sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.
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