In the early evening of Friday, April 11, 2025, the bustling parking lot of a shopping center on South Jefferson Avenue in Cookeville, Tennessee, became the scene of a fatal encounter. Ashton Bohannon, a 34-year-old Black/African American man, was found with gunshot wounds near an axe-throwing establishment. First responders arrived within a minute of the 7:52 PM call and administered aid before he was rushed to Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Despite their efforts, Bohannon succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The events leading to the shooting reportedly began as an attempted robbery. A 22-year-old man, identified as Zerico Purnell, remained at the scene and was detained by the Cookeville Police Department. During questioning, Purnell cooperated with investigators and claimed that Bohannon had attempted to rob him at gunpoint.
He stated that he was legally carrying his own firearm and fired in self-defense.
Following a preliminary investigation, no charges have been filed against Purnell, and the case is being examined under Tennessee's self-defense laws. The Cookeville Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division is continuing to lead the ongoing inquiry. Authorities are in the process of reviewing security footage from nearby businesses and gathering witness testimony to piece together the precise sequence of events that transpired. Officials have indicated that further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. Funeral services for Ashton Jermaine Bohannon were scheduled for a later date in Flint, Michigan.
