Crime
Tristan Clark and Lamarcus Bell killed in Sumter County shooting, suspect Christopher Hinton charged
Authorities in Sumter County have formally charged a 29-year-old Faunsdale man with capital murder following a deadly shooting that claimed the lives of two men during an altercation over the weekend.
According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Christopher Hinton has been charged with two counts of capital murder in connection with the deaths of 35-year-old Tristan Clark and 37-year-old Lamarcus Bell.
Both victims were killed following a violent confrontation at “The Oak Tree,” a nightclub located in the Coatopa community.
The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
Investigators say an altercation involving all three men escalated into gunfire, resulting in the deaths of Clark and Bell.
Hinton was detained by law enforcement at the scene but was not formally charged until Monday, May 12.
He is currently being held at the Sumter County Jail without bond.
The case remains under active investigation by local authorities.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — 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.