Facts in the shooting death of a Crossville man on Main St. near the intersection of Fourth St. are slowly coming to light and present a vastly different scenario than what was reported over the weekend and especially on social media.
The deceased is identified as Albert Darrell (Al) Sturgill Jr., 62, a former mechanic at Fairfield Glade living in Crossville.
The man charged with attempted second-degree murder is Eric B. Garrison, 42, Tima Rd., Lake Tansi area. Officials stated Monday they expect the charge to be amended or upgraded.
Garrison was expected to make a very brief appearance in General Sessions Court Monday for the purpose of seeing if he plans to hire an attorney or needs legal counsel appointed. A bond hearing — or preliminary hearing — will be held on a later date.
Crossville Police were called to the area on Main St. between the Cumberland County Courthouse and War Memorial Park on reports of a physical altercation that had spilled into the street.
This happened around 4:45 p.m. Saturday with Main St. busy with motorists going to the county fair, local restaurants and other venues and the fracas resulted in traffic being stopped.
Videos and photos were taken by witnesses. The arrest affidavit filed by Crossville Police Department’s Detective Tim Vandever relates the following as seen on one of the videos:
“Mr. Garrison can be seen in the video get struck in the head with some type of stick that the older male (Sturgill) was holding. There were two other males that appeared to be trying to separate them (Garrison and Sturgill).
“Mr. Garrison then runs back to his vehicle and retrieves a firearm. There is a female in the video that tries to keep Mr. Garrison from returning back to the altercation. The other two males are between Mr. Garrison and the male that he was fighting with.
“When Mr. Garrison approaches them, he is able to reach around the two other males and the female. He then fires a shot that strikes the old male and he falls to the ground. Mr. Garrison then walks toward the direction of his vehicle and goes out of camera view.”
Sturgill, who was gravely injured, was rushed to The University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville where he died the following day.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has joined CPD in the probe and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted. Detectives and agents Monday were meeting with the District Attorney’s office and interviewing witnesses.
It is not unusual for suspects to be charged with an offense and that charges later be upgraded, amended or otherwise changed.
As evidence continues to be gathered — including blood analysis and items found at the scene, and witnesses are interviewed, more information will become available.
Funeral services for Sturgill have not been announced as of press time Monday.
Records show at press time Garrison remains jailed under a $1 million bond.