July 22, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
A local man has been charged in a fatal shooting that occurred early this morning (Saturday) outside a residence on Kings Court Circle in the Midway Community.
According to Brian Williams, Chief Deputy of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, 56-year-old Thomas Dwayne Thomason suffered a gunshot wound outside in front of his home and died after being transported by DeKalb EMS from the scene to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. The shooting was reported to Central Dispatch at 2:12 a.m. and a deputy was on the scene within minutes.
39-year-old Jarrett Manning of Ferrell Road, who was also on the scene at the time of the officer’s arrival, is believed to have been responsible for the shooting and has been charged with second degree murder. He is under a $500,000 bond and will make his first appearance in DeKalb County General Sessions Court on August 3.
Chief Deputy Williams said a handgun, believed to have been used in the shooting, has been recovered. No motive has yet been established but the investigation continues, and more charges may be pending.
In a prepared statement, Chief Deputy Williams said” On July 22 at 2:12 a.m. central dispatch received a call of shots fired at Kings Court Circle in Smithville. A deputy arrived within three minutes and noticed a man laying outside on the ground with a gunshot wound. Also, there was the suspect (Manning) who was detained at the time. EMS arrived and transported the victim to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital where he succumbed to the wound”.
Assisting Sheriff Patrick Ray, detectives and deputies of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department with the investigation are the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, an Investigator of the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s General’s Office, and Assistant DA Greg Strong. The Smithville Police Department helped secure the scene.