Southwest
Tennessee couple transporting $3M in suspected cocaine killed in shootout with authorities in Texas
A Tennessee couple found transporting millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine was killed in Texas on Thursday during a traffic stop shootout with law enforcement, authorities said.
Edward and Elizabeth Stevenson were first identified through undercover buys of illegal drugs, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.
The undercover work allowed investigators to get a search warrant for the Stevensons’ home, where detectives uncovered nearly a pound of suspected methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl, multiple firearms, body armor and ammunition on Thursday, the sheriff’s office said.
During the search, detectives learned that the Stevensons were driving a semi-truck through Texas with illegal drugs and were armed.
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Edward and Elizabeth Stevenson were killed Thursday in a shootout with law enforcement in Texas. The couple were suspected of running illegal drugs for a Mexican cartel. (Putnam County Sheriffs Office)
“Both Edward and Elizabeth had made previous statements that they would die by ‘suicide by cop’ if law enforcement attempted to stop them,” the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities found multiple firearms, body armor and ammunition inside the couple’s home while executing a search warrant on Thursday. (Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)
Detectives immediately alerted the Donley County Sheriff’s Office in Texas and Texas Department of Public Safety about the couple.
When deputies in Donley County tried to pull over the semi-truck, the couple continued to drive for several miles before coming to a stop, officials said.
Edward and Elizabeth then exited the vehicle and opened fire on deputies and troopers, the sheriff’s office said. The Stevensons were killed in the ensuing shootout.
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Authorities searched the couple’s vehicle and found about 64 pounds of suspected cocaine valued at an estimated $3.4 million. The sheriff’s office said the drugs appeared to be en route to Tennessee.
Authorities found drugs inside the couple’s residence and the semi-truck they were driving through Texas, the sheriff’s office said. (Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)
Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris blamed open border policies that are making it “much easier for Mexican cartel members and their associates” to traffic illegal drugs into smaller communities.
Farris said the cocaine seized from the Stevensons would likely have been mixed with fentanyl before being sold to individuals.
The sheriff thanked community members for calling in anonymous tips about the couple.
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“Anytime you see anything that you feel is suspicious, please call us and we will investigate it,” Farris said. “In this particular incident it most likely saved lives.”
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Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
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