A district attorney in Tennessee has been charged with reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm into an occupied habitation after a shooting incident in November. Christopher Robert Stanford, the district attorney for Tennessee’s 31st Judicial District, allegedly opened fire on murder suspects as they fled from police, unintentionally hitting a house with a woman and her three children inside.
The incident occurred in Smithville, Tennessee, located about 70 miles east of Nashville. At the time, local law enforcement was attempting to arrest three suspects 28-year-old Caleb Dias Brookins, 21-year-old Hannah McKenzi Rose, and 28-year-old Jessica Root who were believed to be connected to a triple homicide in Warren County. The suspects were in DeKalb County when Stanford joined the pursuit with local deputies and a Homeland Security officer.
The situation escalated when the suspects, while fleeing in a car, rammed a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department truck. Rose, the driver, then drove into a yard on Bell Street, where Stanford allegedly opened fire in an attempt to stop the suspects. However, Stanford missed the suspects and their vehicle, instead striking a nearby house. The home was occupied by a woman and her three children, but fortunately, no one was injured inside.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) was called in to investigate the incident. Their findings revealed that Stanford fired several rounds during the pursuit, endangering the occupants of the home. As a result, Stanford was indicted by a DeKalb County Grand Jury on charges of reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm into an occupied habitation. The charges were brought after a special session of the grand jury, and Stanford was arrested and booked at the DeKalb County Jail. He was later released on a $10,000 bond.
Stanford’s actions have sparked significant controversy, particularly given his position as a district attorney. It is rare for a law enforcement official, especially one in such a high-ranking role, to face criminal charges for engaging in such behavior. While Stanford had been working with local law enforcement to apprehend the suspects, his decision to open fire on the fleeing vehicle was deemed reckless by investigators. The TBI’s report emphasized that the gunfire was not only ineffective in stopping the suspects but also posed a serious threat to innocent bystanders in the area.
The shooting incident has raised questions about the role of district attorneys in law enforcement operations and whether Stanford overstepped his authority by taking matters into his own hands. While district attorneys often work closely with law enforcement, their primary role is to prosecute criminal cases rather than participate in active law enforcement activities like pursuing suspects or using firearms in the field.
Stanford, who is 43 years old and from McMinnville, Tennessee, had previously been seen in photos posted on his official Facebook page, where he appeared to be training with local police officers at shooting ranges. These photos have now taken on a more controversial tone, as they highlight Stanford’s apparent familiarity with firearms and his involvement in law enforcement activities, even though he is not a sworn officer.
The charges against Stanford come as part of an ongoing investigation into the actions surrounding the suspects’ attempted arrest. While two of the suspects, Rose and Brookins, were apprehended, the third suspect, Root, remains at large. Brookins was later captured by TBI agents, and Rose was arrested at the scene of the shooting.
The case has drawn attention not only for the charges against Stanford but also for the broader implications it may have on the conduct of public officials. As the investigation continues, many are questioning the boundaries of law enforcement roles and the potential consequences for officials who take matters into their own hands in high-stress situations. The outcome of this case will likely influence how similar incidents are handled in the future, especially when law enforcement officers and district attorneys are involved in active criminal investigations.
