Crime
Selmer police officer, one other killed after shooting on New Bethel Road in McNairy County
UPDATE: Authorities have released the identities of the suspect and the Selmer police officer involved in a fatal shooting on Saturday afternoon in McNairy County, Tennessee.
The tragic incident occurred just after 3:00 p.m. on New Bethel Road when officers responded to a report of a suspicious person outside a residence.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Officer Rick Finley of the Selmer Police Department was the first to arrive at the scene.
Upon his arrival, he encountered 39-year-old Daniel Jeremiah Holmes. Preliminary investigations indicate that Holmes attacked Officer Finley before firing multiple shots, fatally wounding him.
A second officer arrived shortly thereafter and engaged the suspect.
The officer returned fire, striking Holmes, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Selmer Police Department confirmed that Officer Rick Finley was a part-time member of their force and a full-time officer with the McNairy County Sheriff’s Office.
His loss has deeply affected both departments and the community he served.
The TBI is leading the investigation into the incident, and no further details are available at this time.
Local authorities and community members have expressed their condolences and support for Officer Finley’s family during this difficult time.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Selmer, TN – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has confirmed that a police officer and one other individual were fatally shot in an incident that occurred Saturday afternoon in McNairy County.
The shooting took place in the 100 block of New Bethel Road in Selmer, Tennessee.
The incident involved officers from the Selmer Police Department.
At the request of 25th Judicial District Attorney General Mark Davidson, TBI agents are investigating the circumstances that led to the deadly encounter.
The nature of the events that resulted in the fatalities has not been disclosed, and the identities of the officer and the second individual have not yet been released pending family notification.
The TBI announced that additional details would be made public later Saturday night after agents complete their preliminary investigation.
This tragic incident has shaken the Selmer community, with residents expressing their condolences for the families affected. Law enforcement officials have assured the public that they are working diligently to uncover the facts surrounding the shooting.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Crime
Jerome DeWayne Hughes, 35, Fatally Shot During Bonfire Gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
A gathering among friends turned into a devastating tragedy Sunday night when 35-year-old Jerome DeWayne Hughes was fatally shot during a bonfire gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. His death has left family members, friends, and others who were present mourning a sudden and heartbreaking loss.
Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting. The suspect, identified as Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr., is facing a murder charge as investigators continue working to establish what led to the deadly confrontation.
According to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 10:20 p.m. Sunday to the 4300 block of Culver Road, west of Tuscaloosa, following reports of a shooting.
Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Captain Jack Kennedy said the shooting occurred during a social gathering around a bonfire. What had begun as an evening spent with friends ended in violence, prompting an emergency response and a homicide investigation.
Hughes had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment, but despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead.
His death has left loved ones grieving a life lost during what was supposed to be an ordinary gathering among friends.
Following interviews with witnesses and an examination of the crime scene, investigators obtained a murder warrant for 23-year-old Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr.
Authorities reported that Edwards was taken into custody within a few hours of the shooting through coordinated efforts involving the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service.
He has been charged with murder and is being held without bond, according to the information provided.
The charge is an allegation, and the case will proceed through the criminal justice system. Edwards is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Although investigators have made an arrest, important questions about the shooting remain unanswered.
Authorities have not publicly explained what led to the confrontation, whether there was an argument before the gunfire, or what may have motivated the alleged attack.
Detectives continue gathering information and reviewing evidence as they work to establish the full sequence of events.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit detectives at 205-464-8690.
At 35 years old, Jerome DeWayne Hughes had a life and future that mattered to the people who knew and loved him. His sudden death has left family members and friends facing the painful reality of losing someone close to them.
The gathering on Culver Road was supposed to be an opportunity for people to spend time together. Instead, it became the setting of a fatal incident that has deeply affected those connected to the tragedy.
For Jerome’s loved ones, the days ahead will bring grief, difficult questions, and memories of a man whose life ended far too soon.
As the investigation continues, thoughts and condolences remain with the family and friends of Jerome DeWayne Hughes, as well as everyone affected by the shooting.
May Jerome be remembered with love and compassion, and may his family find strength and comfort during this heartbreaking time.