HEISKELL, Tenn. (WATE) — An investigation is underway into a fatal shooting that occurred Tuesday in Anderson County. The suspect, identified as Jason Dockery, was on the run from law enforcement for two days before capture.
The Anderson County 911 communications center received a call around 1:30 Tuesday afternoon that a man had shot a woman while stopped on the side of Moores Gap Road. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim, later identified as Shysti Mayberry.
“During the course of the investigation they were able to name a person of interest, Jason Dockery, and begin to notify surrounding agencies,” Captain Shain Vowell, with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said.
According to ACSO, authorities in Claiborne County spotted the vehicle Dockery was believed to be driving in the Speedwall area later in the afternoon on Tuesday. The pursuit ended in Lee County, Virginia where he ditched the car and fled on foot.
After Lee County Sheriff Gary Parsons confirmed Wednesday that Dockery left the area, U.S. Marshal David Jolley said that Dockery was sighted in Union County, Tennessee on Wednesday.
Investigators believe that he was able to hitchhike from Virginia to Union County and the driver was unaware of the manhunt in search of Dockery.
“In the Investigation, we had learned that the subject may have possession of a cell phone and was monitoring social media in an effort to evade capture. We also spoke to an individual who had given him a ride to Union TN, this was also confirmed by video footage that was obtained that showed the subject clearly out of Lee County, Virginia,” wrote Lee County Sheriff Gary Parsons.
U.S. Marshals operations in Virginia have ended and shifted back to Tennessee. Anyone who may have information is asked to contact the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
On Thursday, the Knoxville Police Department shared a social media post by the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers, saying Dockery was believed to be in Knoxville or Clinton.
The U.S. Marshals Service shared photos taken of Dockery’s tattoos, covering the back of his hands, his arms, and his lower stomach. The East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers adds that Dockery also has neck tattoos.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said that Dockery was taken into custody Thursday in Union County.
Prior to the pursuit, Dockery had a child in his car. According to ACSO, they are still investigating if the child was in the car at the time of the shooting.
“We do have reason to believe Dockery somehow got possession of a child and stopped and put the child out of the car before the pursuit in Claiborne County,” Vowell said. He confirmed that the child was safe.
The investigation is ongoing as law enforcement continues to piece together evidence. Vowell said investigators are still determining if there was a relationship between Mayberry and Dockery.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated.
