In the early morning hours of Sunday, October 5, 2025, the life of 25-year-old Jacob 'Bryce' Hearn of Brighton, Tennessee, was tragically cut short. Deputies from the Tipton County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence in the 9400 block of Holly Grove Road around 4:40 a.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Jacob Hearn suffering from a gunshot wound.
The deputies immediately began to administer first aid until emergency medical crews arrived and took over lifesaving efforts. Hearn was transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
The investigation that followed revealed that the incident was not a random act of violence. Hearn had been with 47-year-old William E. Wylie at the Holly Grove Road home earlier that morning. The two men, who had known each other for years, had reportedly been drinking together. According to investigators, the men went inside the residence, at which point Wylie entered a bedroom, retrieved a firearm, and shot Hearn. The specific motive for the shooting remains under investigation by the authorities.
Following the investigation into the shooting, William E. Wylie was identified as the suspect and was taken into custody. He has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Jacob Hearn's death. Wylie was booked into the Tipton County jail and is being held without bond. He made his first appearance in Tipton County General Sessions Court on Tuesday, October 7, where he was formally charged. Tipton County Sheriff Shannon Beasley described the event as a 'sad and very unfortunate incident,' noting that Wylie had the opportunity to contact law enforcement for assistance if needed, but instead chose violence.
Jacob Hearn, known to his loved ones as Bryce, was remembered for his kind heart and bright spirit. His passing left a deep void in the lives of his family and friends, who recalled the laughter and warmth he brought to everyone who knew him. He was survived by his parents, stepparents, siblings, and his life partner, who at the time of his death was expecting their twin babies. The case against William E. Wylie is now proceeding through the judicial system.
