Crime
45-year-old Jacob Tarver Arrested for Fabricating Shooting Incident Near EpiCenter Church in Burnet County
UPDATE: A man was arrested after reporting a fabricated story to law enforcement following a shooting incident near a church in Burnet County.
On Sunday, October 6th, just after 10:30 AM, Burnet County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Church at the Epicenter on N US 281 due to a 911 call reporting a potential threat.
The church service was interrupted by a member who announced that individuals had been circling the building and that the Burnet County Sheriff’s Department was outside.
According to deputies, a man had called 911, provided the address to the church, requested police assistance, and then hung up. Upon arrival, it became apparent that shots had been fired, but all of them originated from a member of the church’s volunteer safety team.
The safety team member claimed to have confronted two suspicious men outside the church, one of whom was armed with a rifle. The safety team member stated that he fired multiple rounds, causing the men to flee the scene in a white minivan.
However, during the investigation, it was revealed that the safety team member, 45-year-old Jacob Tarver, had fabricated significant details of the incident. He admitted to lying to law enforcement and others about the events that transpired.
Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd confirmed that there were no hostile actions directed at the church or the safety team member, and no weapons were brandished towards the church. The safety of the church was never in jeopardy.
Sheriff Boyd expressed frustration over the fabricated incident, stating that it wasted valuable resources and drew significant attention from state and federal authorities.
Tarver was arrested and charged with false report to induce an emergency response, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and deadly conduct. He is currently being held in the Burnet County Jail awaiting a bail hearing.
Tarver has a prior criminal history, having been convicted of making a false report in Caldwell County in 1996.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
On Sunday October 6, 2024, at approximately 1033 hours Deputies with the Burnet County Sheriffโs Office responded to the Church at the Epicenter located at 2401 N US 281 Burnet, Burnet County, TX 78611 in reference of a check welfare due to an unknown 911 call.
According to BCSO dispatch, a male subject called 911, stated the address above, requested police and then disconnected.
Upon the arrival of law enforcement, it became clear that shots had been fired, and that all of them came from a member of the churchโs volunteer safety team.
The safety team member stated that he confronted 2 suspicious males outside the church, one of whom presented a rifle. The safety team member fired multiple rounds causing both males to enter a white minivan and flee the scene, driving north bound on US 281.
There are no known injuries at this time.
Epicenter Church Burnet issued the following statement:
Security personnel noticed a suspicious man moving near the cars in the parking lot. Upon closer inspection, the man was seen placing a rock near an exterior door, seemingly trying to block it from opening. When security confronted him, he ran toward a white van. At that moment, another individual, wearing a Muslim turban, exited the van armed with an AR-15 style rifle. In response, security opened fire on the armed man. The van then fled north in the direction of Lampasas.
The Burnet County Sheriff’s Office has issued a description of the suspects: two dark-skinned males in a white mini-van, wearing white or off-white head dresses, and armed with rifles.
According to the Burnet City Manager, a recent incident occurred in Burnet involving two armed men who fled north towards Lampasas.
The Sheriff’s Office is also requesting any camera footage from 3 a.m. to 11 a.m. of the area north of 2401 N US 281.
Out of an abundance of caution, the Lampasas Police Department immediately called in additional staff and supervision to patrol our city, specifically our churches. We have coordinated with other local law enforcement agencies to be on high alert and ready to deter or respond immediately to any incidents that might occur.
As of now, no related incidents have occurred in or around our city. The Lampasas Police Department will remain on high alert throughout the afternoon. There is nothing further to report at this time.
If you have information, you are urged to contact the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office at 512-756-8080.
Stay alert and report any suspicious activity.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. โ Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.