On April 4, 2023, 36-year-old Damon Alexander 'Bubba' Tate of Whitwell, Tennessee, was fatally shot during a confrontation in Jasper. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Nickajack Circle, a neighborhood just north of Interstate 24. According to reports, Tate and another individual, Justin W. Rogers, arrived at the residence of Stephen Tyler Moore, where a physical altercation ensued involving Moore and an unidentified person.
During the fight, Moore fired multiple shots, resulting in Tate's death at the scene.
Following the shooting, Moore surrendered to authorities and was taken into custody by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. He was charged with criminal homicide in connection with Tate's death. Additionally, Justin W. Rogers, who accompanied Tate to Moore's residence, was arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail on stalking charges.
Family members remember Damon Tate as a dedicated father of three who enjoyed fishing and had a penchant for humor. His sister, Crystal Layne, expressed deep grief over the loss, noting that Tate's involvement in the altercation was unexpected and tragic. Funeral services were held on April 8, 2023, with burial in the Layne Family Cemetery.
