On Thursday May 24, 2012 Deputies from the Giles County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to a residence on Davis Hollow Rd in Minor Hill, TN in regards to a shooting. Upon arrival deputies talked to Minor Hill First Responders who were already on the scene. Upon further investigation Investigator Timothy Scott, Deputy Clay Doggett along with Medical Examiner Investigator (EMI) Dustin Blade determined that seventy-six year old Jerry Bryan Simpkins was deceased believed to be from a fatal injury to the head from some type of homemade explosive device.
Upon talking to family members investigators determined that there may be more dangerous devices in the immediate area with unknown triggers. Corporal Brandon Tarpley notified Chief Deputy Tommy Chapman of the situation and was told to cordon off the area and retreat to a safe perimeter. Chief Chapman called for assistance from Giles County Office of Emergency Management Barry Whitt and Jeremy Holley. Chief Chapman also contacted Maury County OEM director Mark Blackwood and asked for assistance from the Columbia Police Department Hazardous Devices Unit. The units were dispatched to the scene and after careful consideration and fact gathering the unit rendered the devices safe and cleared the immediate area of any other hazardous devices.
Investigator’s Timothy Scott and Don Ward assisted MEI Dustin Blade with examination and removal of the body. Mr. Simpkins body was transferred to the state medical examiner’s office in Nashville for autopsy with results still pending. Investigators removed several homemade devices from the scene. The case is still under investigation. Also assisting in the incident were Giles County Fire and Rescue and Elkton Fire Department which loaned the Sheriff’s Department a specialized saw that later was not needed.
Sheriff Helton wants to thank everyone and every agency that assisted in this incident and is very thankful the County has a great working relationship with other county agencies as well as the Maury County and Columbia City resources. With these resources available we were able to handle the situation without further injuries or incidents.
