Suspect in Sawmeal Restaurant shooting killed in officer-involved shooting in Arkansas – WBBJ TV

December 7th, 2024 Adamsville, TN Shooting Update Press Release

On the date of December 7th, 2024, just after 4:00pm the Adamsville Police Department responded to the Sawmeal Restaurant located at 731 E Main Street in Adamsville, TN on the report of a gunshot injury that occurred in the parking lot. During the course of the investigation, APD was able to determine that the gunshot injury was directly correlated with an automobile theft that had occurred in the parking lot of the business. The actions and events surrounding that automobile theft included a use of force and intimidation, and the use and discharge of a firearm, in the perpetration of the crime. As a result, a 21-year-old male employee of the Sawmeal Restaurant suffered a single gunshot wound to the upper extremities. The victim was treated on the scene, stabilized by emergency medical services, and transported via aircraft to a medical facility for further treatment.

SEE ALSO: Adamsville Police investigating theft/shooting (12/7/24)

The Adamsville Police Department requested the assistance of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and immediately began to swiftly and diligently investigate this case. As a result of that investigation, we were quickly able to identify a suspect. On the following afternoon of December 8th, 2024, warrants for the arrest of the suspect in this case, Jeffery Lynn Marchbanks Jr., age 35, of Savannah, TN were obtained by the Adamsville Police Department for numerous felony charges to include Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Attempted First-Degree Murder and Carjacking. The Adamsville Police Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Marshals Service immediately began to work collaboratively to identify the whereabouts of Jeffery Marchbanks Jr. to bring him into custody.

Participating agencies were quickly able to identify that Mr. Marchbanks had fled the State of Tennessee and was not currently a threat locally. Based on the information gathered, the Adamsville Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and United States Marshals Service began collaborating with Arkansas State Police and the Little Rock Police Department to locate Mr. Marchbanks in the State of Arkansas. On the afternoon of 12/17/2024 APD was notified by North Little Rock PD that Mr. Marchbanks had been fatally wounded in an officer involved shooting in North Little Rock, AR after reportedly attempting to commit an armed robbery at a gas station in North Little Rock. The victim in our case was notified immediately by APD of the circumstances surrounding the incident in North Little Rock, AR. At this time, the case relating to the shooting at Sawmeal Restaurant is considered closed by APD.

I would like to take time to say “thank you” to APD Detective JP Kellum and our staff, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, and the 25th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for their exhaustive efforts, diligent work, and partnership on this case. Senseless, violent crime will not be tolerated in our community, and we will, as always, continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our community remains a safe place for our citizens and our visitors.

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