Braze Rucker Dies in Fatal Putnam County Shooting
Fatal Putnam County shooting death of Braze Rucker – Obituary
Authorities have located the vehicle connected to the shooting of a Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) trooper on Old Highway 109 in Gallatin. The search continues for the two individuals involved, who remain at large and are considered both armed and dangerous.
One of the suspects has been identified as 29-year-old Braze Rucker. He stands 6’3″, weighs approximately 140 lbs., has brown eyes, is bald, and has a tattoo on his face. The second suspect, also a Black male with a facial tattoo, has yet to be named.
Trooper Adam Cothron is the officer who was shot during the incident. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has added Rucker to its Most Wanted list and is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest.
In a recent update, Mayor Randy Porter announced that Interstate 40 Eastbound is closed at Exit 285, between Tennessee Avenue and Burgess Falls, due to the ongoing situation. He requested that the public keep the injured trooper in their thoughts.
FOX 17 News confirmed with THP Captain Patrick S. Turner that the incident occurred in the Cookeville District. The THP has posted details about the suspects and their vehicle on social media. They are searching for two Black males with facial tattoos who were last seen driving a white Kia Forte with a possible Tennessee temporary tag Q9SC4JR. The vehicle was heading east on I-40. The trooper is reported to be in stable condition. Anyone with information is urged to contact 911 immediately.
Due to the heavy police presence and search operations, I-40 and Exit 286 East in Putnam County are closed. The Putnam County Fire Department has confirmed that the trooper has been taken to receive medical treatment, though there is no estimate on when the roadways will reopen.
Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris shared more details on social media, stating that around 7:50 p.m., a THP trooper conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 40 near Exit 285 was shot by one of the vehicle’s occupants. The vehicle then fled north on Willow Avenue into Cookeville.
THP has released a photo of one of the suspects involved and is asking anyone with information to call 423-954-2130 ext 0.
The TBI has issued a Blue Alert to assist law enforcement in capturing these violent criminals.
Fatal Putnam County shooting death of Braze Rucker – Obituary Authorities have located the vehicle connected to the shooting of a Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) trooper on Old Highway 109 in Gallatin. The search continues for the two individuals involved, who remain at large and are considered both armed and dangerous. One of the suspects…
Fatal Putnam County shooting death of Braze Rucker – Obituary Authorities have located the vehicle connected to the shooting of a Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) trooper on Old Highway 109 in Gallatin. The search continues for the two individuals involved, who remain at large and are considered both armed and dangerous. One of the suspects…