On the evening of December 16, 2025, a tragic series of events unfolded in Dickson, Tennessee, resulting in the untimely death of Taylor ShyAnn Ratterree, a 17-year-old female. Taylor had just finished her shift at the local Kroger grocery store around 8:00 p.m. when she was picked up by her ex-boyfriend, Hunter W. Jackson. Although the couple had recently ended their romantic relationship, they had remained in contact.
What began as a ride after work quickly escalated into a violent confrontation as they traveled along Henslee Drive near Highway 70 East.
According to police reports and court documents, the situation inside the vehicle became perilous, leading Taylor to attempt an escape for her safety. As the car slowed for a traffic light, she tried to jump out of the moving vehicle. It was during this desperate attempt to flee that Jackson allegedly drew a firearm and shot her. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find Taylor critically injured on the roadway. She was rushed to Skyline Medical Center for urgent medical treatment, but she ultimately succumbed to her gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead.
Law enforcement officers launched an immediate investigation, which led them to a residence in White Bluff early the following morning. Around 1:00 a.m., authorities located and arrested 18-year-old Hunter Jackson. He was taken into custody and booked into the Dickson County Jail, where he was charged with first-degree murder. A judge subsequently set his bond at $3 million. As the legal process began, a court date was scheduled for January 20 in the General Sessions Court to address the charges against him.
The loss reverberated deeply through the Dickson community, where Taylor was known fondly by her family nickname "Gus." A senior in high school with plans to attend college the following year, she was remembered for her creativity and kind spirit. Friends and coworkers recalled her passion for crocheting, particularly the small bumblebees she crafted, and her love for her numerous pets. As the investigation continued, those who knew her mourned the extinguishing of a bright future and a life that had only just begun.
