FirstAlerts

Kenneth DeHart Charged in Killing of Blount County Deputy

Kenneth DeHart faces charges including first-degree murder in the February 2024 shooting death of Deputy McCowan and wounding of Deputy Eggers; the case is at the charging stage and has not been resolved.

2 reports on this incident · first at Aug 31, 2026, 10:52 a.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 31, 2026, 10:16 a.m. ETWritten Aug 31, 2026, 10:52 a.m. ET
Kenneth DeHart has been in the February 2024 shooting that killed Blount County Deputy McCowan and wounded Deputy Eggers, according to wivk.com. The charges include first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and multiple firearm and assault offenses. The case is only at the charging stage and has not been resolved. DeHart has not been tried, and the charges remain undecided. As with any defendant, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A change of venue motion has been reported in the case.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 31, 2026, 10:52 a.m. ETFirst report

    Kenneth DeHart, Charged but Not Tried, Seeks Change of Venue in Deputy Killing Case

    Kenneth DeHart, charged with first-degree murder in the February 2024 shooting death of Blount County Deputy McCowan, has filed a motion for a change of venue, according to wivk.com. The case is at the charging stage and has not been decided; DeHart is presumed innocent, and the charges are allegations.

    The government alleges DeHart shot both deputies during a traffic stop, killing Deputy McCowan and wounding Deputy Eggers. DeHart faces charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and multiple firearm and assault counts, as reported by wivk.com.

    DeHart has been charged but not tried; the charges are allegations and he is presumed innocent. The case remains undecided, and the motion for a change of venue is pending.

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Revision history

  1. Version 131 Aug 2026, 14:52current

    First published.

  2. Version 131 Aug 2026, 14:52current

    First published.

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