Crime
Caleb Barber, 31, Dies After Being Shot by Knox County Deputy in Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Caleb Barber, 31, died Sunday morning after a Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputy shot him during a response to reports of an armed man behaving erratically at a convenience store on Clinton Highway, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
The shooting occurred at a Weigel’s store in the 7500 block of Clinton Highway. Several people had called 911 to report the man’s behavior, prompting deputies to respond shortly before 7:30 a.m., the TBI said.
A deputy made contact with Barber after arriving at the scene. The encounter escalated for reasons that remain under investigation, and the deputy fired shots, striking Barber. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The TBI is conducting an independent investigation into the fatal shooting. The deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave while investigators work to establish what happened.
According to the TBI, multiple 911 callers reported an armed man acting erratically in the parking lot of the Weigel’s store on Clinton Highway.
Knox County deputies responded to the reports shortly before 7:30 a.m. One deputy then made contact with Barber in the parking lot.
Authorities said the encounter escalated, leading the deputy to fire his weapon. Barber was struck by gunfire and died at the scene.
Investigators have not publicly explained what led to the shooting. The circumstances surrounding the encounter remain under review as authorities gather evidence and speak with witnesses.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office identified the deputy involved in the shooting as R. Duncan, who serves in the agency’s Patrol Division.
According to the sheriff’s office, Duncan joined the agency in May 2025. Officials announced Monday that he had been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues.
The deputy was not injured during the incident.
Administrative leave is a personnel measure during the investigation and does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing. Authorities have not announced any findings about the deputy’s actions.
The TBI is investigating the shooting independently to determine the circumstances that led to the use of deadly force.
Investigators are collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses as they work to reconstruct the events leading up to the shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be submitted to the district attorney general for review and consideration.
Officials have not announced a timeline for completing the investigation. Further information is expected as investigators establish the facts of the case.
Following the shooting, authorities reported a heavy law enforcement presence near the Weigel’s store. Officials urged members of the public to avoid the area while investigators worked at the scene.
Weigel’s said all employees and customers were safe following the incident. The company also confirmed that it was cooperating fully with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation remains ongoing as state authorities work to determine what led to the fatal shooting of Caleb Barber in Knoxville.
VALLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Logan Rickert, 29, of the Lock Haven area, died early Monday after a tractor-trailer hit him on Interstate 80 in Montour County. He had stopped to help another driver after an earlier crash, authorities said.
The crash happened around 5:54 a.m. on October 26, 2026. It occurred on eastbound I-80 between mile markers 224 and 225 in Valley Township.
According to the Montour County Coroner’s Office, Rickert stopped to help a pickup truck driver after a collision with a tractor-trailer. The pickup truck had partly left the road. The tractor-trailer involved in that crash did not stop.
Rickert got out of his own pickup truck to help the driver. While he stood outside, another tractor-trailer left the road and struck him. Investigators have not yet determined why the second truck left the roadway.
Rickert died at the scene, the coroner’s office said.
Authorities said Rickert stopped on I-80 to help a motorist involved in the first crash. The pickup truck had partly left the road after colliding with a tractor-trailer.
The first tractor-trailer did not stop, according to the coroner’s office. Rickert then left his vehicle to assist the pickup truck driver.
A second tractor-trailer later left the roadway and hit Rickert. Officials have not explained what caused the truck to leave the road. Investigators are working to establish how the crash happened.
Rickert, 29, died at the scene, according to the Montour County Coroner’s Office.
Emergency responders went to the crash site on eastbound I-80 in Valley Township. The incident took place between mile markers 224 and 225.
Authorities have not released further details about the drivers involved. They also have not confirmed whether anyone else suffered injuries.
The Montour County Coroner’s Office and Pennsylvania State Police in Milton are investigating the crash.
Officials have scheduled an autopsy as part of the investigation. They have not released further findings or announced whether anyone will face charges.
Authorities plan to share more information as it becomes available. The investigation remains ongoing.