Police departments across the state have been on the look out for a man wanted for attempted murder in Coffee County. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation added the Coffee County gang member wanted for attempted first degree murder to the state’s Top Ten Most Wanted list after a shooting incident in Manchester that left a man injured in February.

 

John O’Keefe Varner, 42, last known address 1510 Rogers Circle in Coffee County is wanted by the Manchester Police Department. On February 9, 2013, Varner traveled to 1202 Woodland Court in Coffee County with a female and had an argument with a man at that address. According to an eyewitness, after asking the man to come outside the residence, Varner shot him once in the right hip area with a small caliber pistol and kept shooting at the victim as he was running away. (Varner is pictured below)

 

Varner has an extensive and violent criminal history dating back to 1990 that includes charges of second degree murder, aggravated assault, domestic violence and unlawful possession of a weapon. He is also a confirmed Crip gang member.

 

Varner is described as a black male with black hair, brown eyes and has multiple tattoos on his arms and hands. He also has a scar near his left eye area. He is 5’11”, weighs approximately 225 lbs. and also goes by “Jake” or “Kitchen.” He may be traveling in a 2004 white Ford F-150 truck with Tennessee tag 706-YDC. Varner is considered armed and dangerous and should be approached with extreme caution. 

 

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of John O’Keefe Varner is urged to call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463). There is a $1,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

 

Both pictures below are of Varner at various stages of his life