Police
Tennessee Man Shot To Death By Police on Facebook Live Before Asking For A High Ranking Officer
Authorities in Tennessee are investigating the shooting death of an unarmed man by sheriff’s deputies, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said.
Authorities in Tennessee are investigating the shooting death of an unarmed Black man by sheriff’s deputies, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said.
Sheriff deputies in Tennessee fatally shot Rodney James Hess, 36, who authorities said allegedly tried to hit officers with his vehicle, and who recorded the shooting on Facebook live.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Hess parked his sport-utility vehicle on a highway off ramp at around 2:15 p.m., say he was allegedly acting erratically and at one point “attempted to use his vehicle to strike the officers at least twice.”
“During the escalation of events” at least one Crockett County sheriff’s deputy fired through the windshield, the agency said in a statement to NBC. Hess was airlifted to a hospital and later died.
Several videos have been released of the incident. One of the two featured below shows Hess asking for a high ranking officer before being shot and then driving off.
“I need the higher commands to come out”
Gunshots are heard, and Hess is heard screaming in pain while driving and appearing to crash the vehicle. The video does not capture exactly what happened at the moment shots were fired.
Hess’s family said he is originally from New Orleans but moved to Tennessee because of Hurricane Katrina.
“Rodney was a father, a son and hard worker,” his cousin Donald Hess III told NBC News. “Rodney suffered from mental illness but was a functioning member of society. He often traveled for work — mostly construction work — and he did everything for his children.”
Though two videos have been posted, Hess’ relatives went on Facebook to ask any witnesses to come forward.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will hand over the findings of the investigation to 28th District Attorney General Garry Brown, who will decide whether to send the case to a grand jury, DeVine said.
Real stories. Real impact. Straight to your inbox. Join thousands others. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter today!
Follow us on Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram
Memphis man sues city, police over photo taken of his deceased mother
Asbury Park High School: History Seminar
New Jersey police reach $4 million settlement with children of woman killed by ex-husband, a former police officer
Druski new parody mocking conservative women sparks debate
Detroit man convicted of sexually assaulting, killing teen found dead in prison 2 weeks after sentencing
Kendrick Johnson’s parents file $10B lawsuit against federal judges
GoFundMe launched after Alabama mother is fatally shot by husband hours after giving birth
Shaquille O’Neal pays for funeral costs for 12‑year‑old Jada West, Georgia officials say
Family demands justice after Baltimore County man dies after being punched by police officer in violent encounter
12‑year‑old Georgia girl dies after fight outside school bus, family says she was bullied
OWN greenlights first-ever ‘Belle Collective’ spinoff Belle Collective: Birmingham
Hazel Scott’s legacy returns to Harlem in free outdoor film screening
Olympic Gymnast Frederick Richard sets world record, raises $50K for Ugandan youth
Renee Ferguson, trailblazing investigative journalist, dies at 75
“AfroPoP Digital Shorts” returns to the land with “Sweet Samara,” climate and abolitionist film
-
Community2 weeks agoShaquille O’Neal pays for funeral costs for 12‑year‑old Jada West, Georgia officials say
-
Education1 week agoAsbury Park High School: Crossover event esports and history with Tina Watson
-
Social Justice2 days agoNew Jersey police reach $4 million settlement with children of woman killed by ex-husband, a former police officer
-
Social Justice4 days agoJury awards California woman $15 million after supervisor called her n-word
-
Culture2 weeks agoWu‑Tang Clan concert film to screen at The Pinhook as part of Wu‑Tang Wednesday Series
-
Social Justice6 days agoFamily pleads for Trump’s help bringing severely ill son home from Chinese prison
-
Crime & Justice3 days agoDetroit man convicted of sexually assaulting, killing teen found dead in prison 2 weeks after sentencing
-
Culture2 days agoDruski new parody mocking conservative women sparks debate
-
Social Justice1 week agoDOJ moves to dismiss criminal case against ex-officers charged for role in Breonna Taylor’s death
-
In Memoriam1 week agoIn Memoriam: Beloved Showtime at the Apollo co-host Kiki Shepard