MARYVILLE, Tenn. – Blount County Deputy Shelby Eggers described the terrifying moments of a deadly encounter that resulted in the shooting of Deputy Greg McCowan and herself during a preliminary hearing for the suspect, Kenneth DeHart.
DeHart faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and being a felon in possession of a weapon after the February 8 shooting during a traffic stop. The hearing included the testimony of Eggers, who described how DeHart attacked her and McCowan during the confrontation that led to McCowan’s death.
Eggers recounted how she thought she was going to die after being shot in the thigh by DeHart, who resisted arrest, fired on the deputies, and ultimately killed McCowan. She vividly described the encounter, detailing her attempts to apprehend DeHart and the moment he initiated the deadly assault.
Body and dash camera footage from the deputies were played during the hearing, providing a visual representation of the events leading to the tragic shooting. The footage depicted the escalating tension as DeHart resisted arrest and eventually opened fire on the deputies, resulting in McCowan’s death and Eggers’ injury.
During the sequence of events, DeHart swerved into the opposite lane multiple times before being pulled over by Eggers. The situation further intensified as DeHart resisted arrest, leading to the fatal shooting of McCowan and the injury of Eggers. The footage captured the chaotic and harrowing moments that unfolded during the traffic stop.
Amidst the chilling testimony and video evidence, DeHart’s court-appointed attorney sought a postponement of the preliminary hearing, but the judge proceeded with the hearing. The courtroom scenes illustrated the gravity of the situation and the emotional toll it took on those involved.
The hearing shed light on the tragic incident that claimed the life of Deputy Greg McCowan, revealing the intensity of the confrontation and the bravery displayed by Deputy Shelby Eggers in the face of danger. The proceedings provided a sobering account of the events, highlighting the risks law enforcement officers face in the line of duty.