Crime
55-year-old Dantae Connor charged with voluntary manslaughter in fatal Shooting of Phillip Thomas at Red Dog Saloon
Jackson, TN — A shooting inside the Red Dog Saloon Bar and Grill on January 4, 2025, claimed the life of 32-year-old Phillip Dewayne Thomas.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. at the establishment located at 1450 South Highland Avenue.
Officers from the Jackson Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the Red Dog Saloon.
Upon arrival, they discovered Mr. Thomas near the entrance of the establishment, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite the prompt response of first responders and life-saving efforts, Mr. Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witness accounts from the scene provided a description of the suspect and his vehicle. A Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert was issued to local and surrounding law enforcement agencies.
Shortly after, deputies in Crockett County conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle matching the description.
The driver, identified as 55-year-old Dantae Connor, was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Jackson Madison County Criminal Justice Complex.
Connor has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting. He is currently being held in custody and is scheduled for a formal arraignment on Tuesday morning at Jackson City Court.
The Jackson Police Department extended its condolences to the family and loved ones of Phillip Dewayne Thomas.
“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and everyone impacted by this tragic event. We remain committed to ensuring justice is served,” the department said in a statement.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting remains ongoing. Authorities encourage anyone with additional information to contact the Jackson Police Department or the Crime Stoppers hotline.
Crime
2 Christian County deputies killed in the line of duty, suspect Richard Bird also dead
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
Christian County, Mo. — A massive multi-agency manhunt in Christian County has ended with the suspect dead, but not before claiming the lives of two sheriff’s deputies and injuring two others.
According to Brad Cole, the suspect, Richard Bird, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on State Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
Authorities confirmed that two deputies with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office were killed in the line of duty during the operation.
One of the fallen deputies has been identified as 30-year-old Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
In addition to the two fatalities, one Christian County deputy and one deputy from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
Sheriff Cole stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The violence began around 4:00 p.m. Monday when a Christian County deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville.
During that stop, Deputy Ramirez was fatally shot, prompting a Blue Alert and a large-scale manhunt for Bird.
After Bird’s vehicle was located abandoned, officers from across the Ozarks converged on the area. Sheriff Cole said approximately 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers participated in the search effort, along with federal partners including the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the ATF.
The search continued for hours into the early morning. A helicopter operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area near Reeds Spring. As deputies approached the location, Bird reportedly opened fire. Law enforcement officers returned fire, fatally striking the suspect and ending the threat.
While the suspect was neutralized, the outcome has left the community in mourning. Two deputies lost their lives in the line of duty, and two others were injured.
Sheriff Cole described the loss as devastating for the department and the broader community. Families of the fallen deputies are now grieving, and colleagues across multiple agencies are reflecting on the risks law enforcement officers face daily.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as authorities continue to process the scene and review the circumstances surrounding the shootings.