Maryville, Tennessee – The manhunt is intensifying for the East Tennessee resident accused of fatally shooting a deputy and injuring another as the Blount County Sheriff’s Office raises the reward to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest of 42-year-old Kenneth DeHart. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has issued warrants charging DeHart with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm in relation to the Feb. 8 shootings.
DeHart is the subject of a statewide Blue Alert and has been added to the TBI’s Most Wanted list, sparking an urgent search by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. In an effort to close in on the suspect, authorities are targeting DeHart’s alleged associates. Dehart’s girlfriend, 32-year-old Carrie Matthews, was arrested on Feb. 8 and his brother, 41-year-old Marcus DeHart, was arrested on Feb. 9, both facing charges for “accessory after the fact.” Matthews allegedly received a call from DeHart and alerted him that police were at her house questioning her.
On the day of the shooting, Deputies had initiated a traffic stop on an SUV, suspecting erratic driving. DeHart, the driver, refused to get out, and deputies used a stun gun which had no effect, after which DeHart fired at the officers, striking both of them. Deputy Greg McCowan, 43, later died at a hospital, leaving behind a fiancée, children, and grandchildren. The other deputy, Shelby Eggers, was treated for injuries and has been released from the hospital.
As the search intensifies, authorities urge anyone with Ring camera or security footage to come forward, hoping for clues to DeHart’s whereabouts. TBI Director David Rausch assured that they will find him, stating “We are going to turn every rock over. We’ll find him, there’s no doubt. It’s just a matter of time, and it’s his choice how he wants this to go.”