CROSSVILLE, Tenn. — What should have been an ordinary Friday evening in downtown Crossville ended in tragedy on August 22, 2025, when a confrontation near the intersection of North Main Street and Fourth Street escalated into gunfire, leaving one man dead and the community shaken. The incident, which unfolded just steps from War Memorial Park and the Cumberland County Courthouse, has raised alarm in the otherwise quiet city and left residents searching for answers.
According to the Crossville Police Department (CPD), officers were dispatched around 5:40 p.m. following multiple 911 calls reporting an altercation in the street. What began as a heated verbal dispute between two men quickly intensified into a physical struggle. Within moments, a single gunshot rang out, striking the victim. Despite efforts to provide emergency aid, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police later identified the victim as a local military veteran who had been living with a prosthetic leg, a detail that has deepened the sense of grief and outrage across the community. His name has not yet been formally released, pending notification of his family.
The suspect, 35-year-old Eric Garrison, was taken into custody shortly after the incident. While authorities have not yet announced the exact charges, investigators confirmed that Garrison was directly involved in the deadly confrontation. Officials stressed that the shooting appears to be an isolated event and that there is no further threat to the public.
For many Crossville residents, the location of the shooting only added to the shock. The area surrounding War Memorial Park is typically a gathering place for families, veterans, and community events. Instead, on Friday evening, it was transformed into a crime scene lined with police tape, flashing lights, and shuttered businesses.
“It didn’t feel real,” said one downtown business owner, who witnessed the commotion from across the street. “One minute people were shouting, and the next there was a gunshot. You don’t expect that kind of violence here, especially not in front of the courthouse.” Another witness described the escalation as “sudden and frightening,” noting how quickly the argument spiraled beyond control.
For hours, investigators worked meticulously to process the scene, gathering shell casings, photographing evidence, and interviewing witnesses. Several blocks of North Main Street remained closed, creating an unusual silence in a part of town normally alive with small businesses and evening foot traffic.
In a statement released late Friday, Chief Jessie Brooks of the Crossville Police Department expressed condolences to the victim’s loved ones and vowed a full investigation. “Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and the entire community impacted by this tragic event,” Brooks said. “We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the confrontation to contact the Crossville Police Department at 931-484-7231 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 931-200-1173.
As the investigation continues, Crossville is left mourning the death of a veteran whose life ended on the very streets he once walked with resilience. His death marks a painful chapter for a community unaccustomed to such violence, and one that will not soon be forgotten.