Press Release

Dade County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Ray Cross

On Saturday, January 20th, Dade County Deputies were dispatched to Vine Lane in the
Piney Community for a “shots fired” call. Upon the arrival of deputies, they were met by the
female victim who advised she had been physically assaulted by a male, and he had also fired a
few rounds from a handgun. She also advised that the suspect had attempted to run over her
with his vehicle, even driving into a neighbor’s yard in attempts to do so. Deputies attempted to
locate the suspect, but he had already left the area, prior to their arrival.

It was found during the course of the on scene investigation, that the suspect had shot
at the victim’s car, at her bed inside the residence, and possibly while driving down the street,
but never actually at the victim herself.

Shortly after the incident on Vine Lane, deputies were notified that Officer Coffman with
Trenton PD had spotted the vehicle, and was attempting to stop it. The vehicle failed to stop,
and Officer Coffman was in pursuit of the vehicle Northbound on Interstate 59. Dade County
Deputies Raley and Cloud joined in the pursuit, as it headed toward Marion County on
Interstate 24. Tennessee Highway Patrol, and Marion County Sheriff’s Office, was notified of
the pursuit and the nature of the original incident.

THP attempted to deploy spike strips at the 155 mile marker on Interstate 24, but the
suspect vehicle evaded the device. Shortly after mile marker 155, Marion County Deputies
attempted to slow the vehicle, but backed off due to the driver pointing a firearm at deputies.
The vehicle continued to the Kimball exit, where the vehicle was stopped, and the suspect was
taken in to custody without incident. Also, a .357 Revolver was recovered from the vehicle at
the time of arrest.

The suspect was identified as Daniel Southerland (33 years) of South Pittsburg, TN. He is
facing charges in Marion County, as well as Dade County. Warrants have been taken in Dade
County for Violation of a TPO, and Aggravated Assault. The suspect vehicle, and firearm, will be
returned to Dade County Sheriff’s Office for processing. He is currently being housed at the
Marion County Jail.

Sheriff Cross wants to thank his deputies, Trenton PD Officers, Marion County Deputies,
and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, for their quick, and safe, apprehension of this violent
offender.