A manhunt is underway on Friday for a Tennessee man suspected of fatally shooting a deputy and injuring another during a traffic stop and is considered “armed and dangerous.”
Warrants have been issued for Kenneth DeHart, 42, for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the Thursday evening shooting, the Blount County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Deputies Greg McCowan and Shelby Eggers initiated a traffic stop on an SUV in the 4900 block of Sevierville Road in Maryville just before 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.
DeHart “would not cooperate with deputies” and refused to exit the vehicle, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating the shooting.
A stun gun was deployed with “no effect,” the TBI said.
“At some point during the encounter, DeHart produced a gun and fired shots, striking both deputies,” the TBI said.
McCowan was transported to an area hospital where he later died. Eggers, who returned fire and was struck in the leg, was also transported to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
DeHart drove away from the scene.
A statewide Blue Alert was issued for DeHart and he was added to the TBI Most Wanted list.
Sheriff James L. Berrong was distraught when he announced the officer’s death during a Thursday evening press conference, saying “it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
“We had an officer killed tonight on a traffic stop, another female officer was shot in the leg, she returned fire,” Berrong explained. “We will get this man off the streets of East Tennessee and put him behind bars.”
In an update early Friday, the sheriff’s office said Eggers was released from the hospital and is recovering at home.
A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to DeHart’s arrest. He was described as driving a silver Lexus, is believed to now be on foot and was last known to be in the Wildwood area.
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