A manhunt is underway after a Dickson County sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot during an altercation in Tennessee on Wednesday.
Police are searching for 31-year-old Steven Wiggins, who they announced as a “person of interest” in the deputy’s death. The man is described as a white male who stands 6’1″ tall, weighs about 220 pounds and has balding brown hair.
A deputy was killed following a traffic stop that occurred early Wednesday in Dickson County, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Wiggins is “wanted by the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office and TBI for aggravated assault and theft,” the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced in a tweet. “In addition, Wiggins is also a person of interest in the killing of a Dickson County deputy during a traffic stop on May 30, 2018.”
At the time of publishing, authorities were searching for Wiggins in the area of Bear Creek Valley Road and Tidwell Switch Road, reports News Channel 5.
We've also added Wiggins to our Top 10 Most Wanted list. There is now a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest. pic.twitter.com/vnERWldSXQ
— TBI (@TBInvestigation) May 30, 2018
The TBI reported that a Blue Alert has been issued for Wiggins, which is an alert system developed to assist law enforcement in speeding up the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously injure local, state, or federal law enforcement officers,” according to the National Blue Alert System’s website.
In addition, the TBI has added Wiggins to their “Top 10 Most Wanted List.”
Although police have not officially identified the deputy killed, “a close family friend and family on social media have identified him as 32-year-old Sgt. Daniel Baker,” according to The Tennessean.
Those in the area are requested to avoid the area during the search, which is located near Bear Creek Valley Road at the Dickson-Hickson county line. According to News Channel 5, Wiggins has a criminal history which includes “arrests for aggravated assault and misdemeanor vandalism.”
TBI has offered a $2,500 reward for information that leads to Wiggins’ arrest. He is considered armed and dangerous, and authorities warn not to approach the man.
Anyone with information in the case is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.
[Feature photo: Steven Wiggins/Tennessee Bureau of Investigations]
