A Tennessee sheriff has issued a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Kenneth DeHart, 42, who allegedly shot and killed a sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop.
The reward was announced by Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong, who is leading the manhunt for DeHart, who also injured another sheriff’s deputy during the traffic stop.
Berrong shared during a press conference on Saturday that residents living in the Wildwood area would see “a large law enforcement presence” as the sheriff’s office conducted a “non-tactical ground search.”
The sheriff’s office has upped the bounty from $80,000 as they continue to “work tirelessly.” Berrong shared that they are “not going to stop” until they have DeHart in custody.
Warrants have been issued for DeHart for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and felon in possession of a firearm, a press release shared.
Deputy Shelby Eggers, 22, was treated for the injuries she sustained, but her partner, Deputy Greg McCowan, 43, was killed in the shooting, the sheriff’s office shared on Friday.
“We’re committed to track him down,” Berrong said Friday. “We’re going to get him, and he’s going to be brought to justice in Blount County.”
In a new release on Friday, the sheriff’s office noted that deputies had initiated a traffic stop on DeHart’s vehicle after it was observed driving erratically, Blount County District Attorney General Ryan Desmond shared.
The driver identified himself as DeHart but refused to exit the SUV, resulting in a stun gun being deployed, the release shared.
Officials shared that the stun gun did not affect DeHart, who then produced a gun and fired shots, striking both deputies. Both deputies were taken to the hospital for treatment, and McCowan died from his injuries.
The investigation and manhunt remain ongoing at this point.