By David Matthews
New York Daily News
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A man suspected of shooting and killing a Tennessee sheriff’s deputy and wounding another was captured Tuesday after a days-long manhunt.
Kenneth Wayne DeHart, 42, is accused of opening fire on the Blount County deputies shortly after they pulled over an SUV for erratic driving on U.S. Route 411 in Maryville, about 16 miles south of Knoxville, on Thursday evening.
- DeHart reportedly refused to cooperate and shot at officers after they attempted to use a Taser on him, hitting Blount County Sheriff’s deputies Greg McCowan, 43, and Shelby Eggers, 22. Eggers was treated at a hospital and later released, while McCowan was pronounced dead.
DeHart fled the scene and was considered armed and dangerous.
The Blount County Sheriff’s Office said DeHart Jr. was captured in Knoxville on Tuesday morning, but no other details were released. He was wanted on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. A photo of the scene shared by the sheriff’s office showed a large police presence in a residential area.
“Kenneth Wayne DeHart was taken into custody a short time ago in Knoxville!” sheriff James Berrong said in a Facebook post. “Now the judicial process will take place in the court system. Thanks to all of our law enforcement partners and our community.”
More than $100,000 was pledged for information that led to DeHart’s arrest. Last week, Marcus DeHart — the suspect’s brother — and Carrie Matthews, a woman described as his girlfriend, were arrested and charged with being an accessory for aiding the suspect.
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