Crime
34-year-old Ashton Bohannon killed after shooting in Cookeville shopping center parking lot
Cookeville, Tenn. — Authorities say an attempted robbery may have led to a fatal shooting in Cookeville on Friday night, after a victim reportedly acted in self-defense and fatally shot his alleged attacker.
According to the Cookeville Police Department, officers responded just before 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11, to reports of a shooting in the parking lot of a shopping center located in the 700 block of South Jefferson Avenue, near an axe-throwing bar and a Walmart store.
Deputies from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 34-year-old Ashton Bohannon suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was transported to Cookeville Regional Medical Center in critical condition, where he later succumbed to his injuries. His next of kin have been notified.
Following a preliminary investigation, Cookeville Police Chief Scott Winfrey and Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris confirmed that a 22-year-old man, who remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators, reported that Bohannon allegedly attempted to rob him at gunpoint.
According to the 22-year-old, Bohannon confronted him in the parking lot and displayed a firearm during what is believed to have been a robbery attempt.
The younger man, who was legally carrying his own firearm, drew his weapon and fired in what he described as an act of self-defense.
At this time, no charges have been filed against the 22-year-old, as the incident is being investigated under Tennessee’s self-defense laws.
Authorities emphasized that the individual has been fully cooperative, and that witness testimony and possible security footage from nearby businesses are being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
“This appears to be a case where an individual was forced to defend himself during a violent encounter,” said Sheriff Farris. “However, our detectives are still actively piecing together exactly what transpired.”
The Cookeville Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division continues to lead the investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information is encouraged to contact them at 931-520-5322.
Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
ANGOON, Alaska — Roger Williams Jr., 35, was found dead Wednesday after he went missing during a cockle fishing trip near Angoon, Alaska, authorities said. Search teams found his body along the shore near Danger Reef Point after the U.S. Coast Guard discovered his empty boat the previous evening.
Alaska State Troopers said Angoon Search and Rescue found Williams shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday. Officials are transporting his remains to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. His family has also been notified.
Williams was last seen around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. He reportedly left the Angoon boat harbor in a red-and-silver, 16-foot Lund boat to go cockle fishing.
Cockle fishing involves collecting shellfish from coastal areas. Williams did not return as expected, and authorities later found his boat without anyone aboard.
Officials have not shared further details about his final movements or what happened during the trip.
At around 8 p.m. Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard found an empty 16-foot Lund skiff near the shoreline between Killisnoo Island and Angoon.
The discovery led to a search for Williams. Authorities looked for him after finding the boat with no one aboard.
Officials have not explained how the boat ended up near the shore or confirmed what caused Williams to disappear.
The U.S. Coast Guard joined local search-and-rescue teams and crews from Wrangell to look for Williams.
The teams continued their search after finding the empty boat on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, Angoon Search and Rescue found Williams’ body near Danger Reef Point shortly before 1 p.m.
Authorities have not released details about the conditions during the search or the circumstances surrounding the discovery.
Alaska State Troopers said officials are transporting Williams’ remains to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Authorities have notified his next of kin.
Officials have not announced a cause of death. The medical examiner’s findings may provide more information about the circumstances of the incident.
The case remains under review as authorities work to determine what happened during Williams’ fishing trip.