UPDATE: A wanted convicted felon faces attempted murder charges of two Rutherford County Sheriff's deputies after he allegedly fired several rounds at them before they arrested him this past October.
Chief Deputy Randy Garrett says suspect Mason Deforrest, 24, of Richland Road was taken into custody after allegedly shooting at Lt. Kenneth Barrett and Deputy Nick Coble of the Active Crime Enforcement Unit on Old Woodbury Highway near Coleman Road.
Detective Lt. Todd Sparks said, "He tried to murder two of our officers and will be charged with two counts of attempted murder along with other multiple related charges."
The deputies spotted Deforrest driving on Old Woodbury Highway and followed him because they knew he was wanted for felony violation of community corrections. The suspect saw the deputies, parked his car and ran across a field. The deputies drove into the field chasing him.
"As we closed in, he pulled a pistol and leveled it at us and fired numerous shots while running across the field," Lt. Barrett said.
Deputy Coble said he prepared to defend himself but Deforrest took off running, then tossed the pistol.
Deforrest was arraigned on Monday morning (1/23/2017) and has a plea date set for February 22, 2017.
Deforrest faces the following charges:
- Attempted murder - Two Counts
- Possession of a weapon by a convicted felon
- Possession of a weapon while in the commission of a felony - Two counts
- Employ a weapon in the commission by a felon
- Reckless endangerment
- Driving on a suspended license
- Evading arrest
- Second offense of driving on a suspended license
The suspect remains behind bars at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center in Murfreesboro. When he appears in court, he will be represented by a public defender.
Lt. Kenneth Barrett, left, and Deputy Nick Coble were not harmed after allegedly being shot at by a convicted felon they were trying to arrest Tuesday.
