TBI Special Agents Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting in Coffee County

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TBI Special Agents Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting in Coffee County

Reported By

Brian Hornback

Reported On

August 29, 2026

At the request of 14th Judicial District Attorney General Craig Northcott, TBI special agents are investigating the circumstances that led to an officer-involved shooting Friday night in Coffee County.

Preliminary information indicates that at around 7:45, deputies with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department were attempting to serve an arrest warrant for Eric Thurman (DOB 9/18/1982). They located him in a tent in the 400 block of Spring Circle in the Lakewood Community. For reasons still under investigation, Thurman cut a deputy in his chest and in his hand with a machete. Another deputy discharged his firearm, striking Thurman. Deputies rendered first aid to Thurman who was later pronounced deceased. The deputy was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

TBI agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for his further review and consideration. The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBI’s involvement.

The TBI does not identify the officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to the respective department to answer as it sees fit.