Updated 12/27/22 to correct spelling of victim’s name
As promised, Sheriff Tom Spangler has released the name of the Thursday (12/22/22) fatal shooting victim at the Rural King in Halls. Spangler said the victim was Tristan Smith of Powell, 23, a Rural King employee.
Mynatt Funeral Home in Halls is representing the victim’s family and service information will be posted here.
According to a report from WVLT-TV, deputies responded around 10:40 a.m. Thursday to a possible shooting. Once on the scene, deputies learned that the suspect was attempting to shoplift ammunition and bungee cords when an employee (Smith) approached them.
KCSO deputies arrested 18-year-old Larry McBee early Friday morning just after 3:30 a.m. in the 3000 block of McDonald Road in Knoxville.
Spangler said that over 40 officers were involved in the search overnight, including assistance from Blount and Grainger counties. Spangler said that McBee will be charged with second degree murder and several other charges.
KCSO said McBee was previously arrested by the Knoxville Police Department for especially aggravated robbery and felony evading. McBee is accused of shooting a man after a struggle over a gun outside of a home on Coker Avenue on Oct. 24, according to KPD.