KPD e-News Release: New Evidence Exonerates Former Suspect in Ash Street Shooting Incident

Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://Police.KingsportTN.govwww.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: New Evidence Exonerates Former Suspect in Ash Street Shooting Incident
DATE: September 11, 2020
CASE #: 20-019380
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On September 10, 2020 at approximately 4:00 AM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers and Detectives responded to a shooting incident in the 1300 block of Ash Street in Kingsport. Upon arrival, they located Jacob T. Durham, with apparent gunshot wounds, outside of the residence.

Mr. Durham was transported by Sullivan County E.M.S. to an area medical facility for emergency medical care. He was treated for serious injuries but later discharged from the hospital.

During the subsequent investigation, Mr. Durham repeatedly insisted that he had been shot by his acquaintance, Jacob R. Hayes, following an argument. He further alleged that Mr. Hayes fled the scene, prior to police arrival, in a green box-style vehicle. Detectives were able to corroborate his accusations and develop the necessary probable cause to obtain a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Hayes.

While at that time, Detectives did have sufficient probable cause to believe that Mr. Hayes was responsible, new exculpatory evidence has now surfaced that completely exonerates him of any involvement in the aforementioned shooting. Mr. Hayes is no longer in law enforcement custody, and Detectives are in the process of having all charges against him dismissed.

Detectives have now arrested Jacob T. Durham for the crime of Felony False Reporting. As of the time of issuance of this news release, he remains incarcerated in the Kingsport City Jail, pending arraignment.

The original Ash Street shooting incident remains under active investigation. Anyone who has any information related to that incident is asked to contact the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

As this remains an active and ongoing investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division, absolutely no additional details will be released at this time.

SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name Jacob T. Durham
Age Date of Birth 2/9/2001

19 Years of Age

Gender/Race Male/White
Residency 1389 Ash Street

Kingsport, TN

Charge(s) Felony False Reporting

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

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