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
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son Nehemiah Locklear.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”