The man wanted in connection with the murder of a woman near Knoxville, Tennessee was arrested last week following a 2-day manhunt, the Associated Press reported.
Police apprehended Jason Dockery, 44, last Thursday afternoon in Union County, Tennessee outside of Knoxville.
The manhunt began last Tuesday after a woman was fatally shot in Anderson County near Knoxville last Tuesday. Dockery led police on a car chase that ended in neighboring Lee County, Virginia where he escaped into the woods. By Wednesday evening, Dockery had hitchhiked back to eastern Tennessee, according to authorities.
Captain Shain Vowell with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said on Thursday that Dockery was considered a “person of interest” in the shooting.
According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a 911 call last Tuesday reporting that a man shot a woman, later identified as Shystie Ranea Mayberry, while stopped by the side of the road.
Authorities began pursuing Dockery, a Knoxville resident, as he drove through Claiborne County. The car chase ended in Lee County, Virginia when Dockery abandoned his Chevrolet Sonic and fled into the woods near Ewing.
As the manhunt continued, local officials in Lee County urged residents to secure their vehicles and lock their doors. Meanwhile, some schools were closed.
By Wednesday evening, Sheriff Gary Parsons of Lee County announced that Dockery had fled the area and hitchhiked back to Tennessee.
According to court records, Dockery was charged with first-degree murder and was arraigned on Friday, WVLT reported.
According to the murder warrant filed with the court, Dockery confessed to the murder.
The Anderson County Sessions court judge set a $2 million bond and scheduled the next court appearance for September 27.
