(NewsNation) — As the manhunt continues into a fifth day for an East Tennessee man accused of fatally shooting a deputy and injuring another, the Blount County Sheriff’s Office has increased the reward to $100,000 for information leading to his arrest.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has issued warrants charging 42-year-old Kenneth DeHart with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm in the Feb. 8 shootings.
A statewide Blue Alert was issued for DeHart, and he was added to the TBI’s Most Wanted list. He’s not been located and is the subject of a search by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
As multiple agencies continue their urgent manhunt for DeHart on Monday, authorities are closing in on the suspect’s alleged associates.
Dehart’s girlfriend, 32-year-old Carrie Matthews, was arrested Feb. 8. An arrest warrant obtained by NewsNation affiliate WATE reveals Matthews allegedly received a call from DeHart and alerted him that police were at her house questioning her. Additionally, DeHart’s brother, 41-year-old Marcus DeHart, was arrested Feb. 9.
Both the girlfriend and bother remain behind bars Monday, facing charges for “accessory after the fact.” Marcus DeHart is being held on a $1 million bond. He’s set to appear in Blount County General Sessions Court at 1:30 p.m. Monday, according to WATE.
TBI said on Feb. 8, deputies had initiated a traffic stop on an SUV. The vehicle had been stopped on suspicion of erratic driving.
The driver, identified by authorities as Kenneth DeHart, refused to get out of the SUV, and deputies used a stun gun but it had no effect, the bureau said. DeHart then fired at the officers, striking both deputies. Deputy Shelby Eggers was shot in the leg and returned fire, then DeHart drove from the scene, the bureau said.
Deputy Greg McCowan, 43, later died at a hospital, according to authorities. A decorated hero who joined the force in 2020, McCowan leaves behind a fiancée, children and grandchildren.
Eggers was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening at the hospital and has been released.
TBI Director David Rausch addressed the suspect directly, affirming that he would be brought to justice.
“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,” Rausch said.
Authorities urge anyone with Ring camera or security footage to come forward, hoping for clues to his whereabouts.