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
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.