In the early morning hours of January 4, 2025, a fatal encounter unfolded at Becky's Red Dog Saloon Bar and Grill in Jackson, Tennessee, leaving 32-year-old Phillip Dewayne Cody Thomas, a male, dead from a gunshot wound. The Jackson Police Department responded to a call at the establishment located on South Highland Avenue at approximately 2:30 a.m. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Thomas in the doorway of the bar with a gunshot wound.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses at the scene were able to provide investigators with a description of the individual who allegedly shot Thomas. Acting on this information, law enforcement issued a 'Be On the Lookout' alert to surrounding areas. The prompt dissemination of the suspect's description proved effective, as deputies with the Crockett County Sheriff's Department soon spotted the suspect's vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted, and 55-year-old Dantae Connor was taken into custody without incident.
Following his arrest, Dantae Connor was charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Phillip Dewayne Cody Thomas. The Jackson Police Department expressed their condolences to Thomas's family and all those affected by the shooting. While an arrest has been made, the investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting remains ongoing. Authorities have encouraged anyone with additional information regarding the incident to come forward and contact the Jackson Police Department.
