In the late summer of 2019, the life of Rusty Aaron Cordle, a 29-year-old white male from Kingsport, Tennessee, was tragically cut short. On the evening of Saturday, September 21, 2019, an altercation in the Midway community of Sullivan County would end in his untimely death, leaving a family to mourn and a community seeking answers.
According to the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, the incident began on State Route 36.
A man, who has not been publicly identified, reported that a vehicle driven by Cordle was following him. The man pulled into the parking lot of a local business, and Cordle followed, pulling in behind him. The situation escalated when Cordle allegedly approached the other man's vehicle in what was described as a 'threatening manner.'
Fearing for his safety, the man in the vehicle discharged a firearm, striking Cordle. Wounded, Cordle managed to enter a nearby store to ask for help before collapsing. He was transported to a local hospital, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries. The shooter remained at the scene and immediately claimed self-defense when law enforcement arrived.
The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office launched a thorough investigation into the shooting. Authorities stated that they would compile their findings and present the case to the Sullivan County Grand Jury for review. The grand jury would then be tasked with determining whether the shooter's actions were justified as self-defense under Tennessee law or if criminal charges were warranted. However, the final outcome of this grand jury review, including whether any arrests were made or charges were filed, has not been made publicly available in online sources. The legal resolution of the case remains unclear.
Rusty Cordle was remembered by his family as a loving son, brother, and uncle who had a passion for working on and restoring old vehicles and motorcycles. His death left a void in the lives of his loved ones, who mourned the loss of a man they described as having a deep love for life.
