In Crossville, Tennessee, a bustling small town known for its quiet charm, a shocking act of violence unfolded on Friday evening, August 22, 2025, forever altering the lives of those involved and leaving the community in disbelief. What began as a heated argument in the middle of North Main Street and Fourth Street, just steps from the Cumberland County Courthouse, escalated into a deadly confrontation that claimed the life of 62-year-old Albert Darrell Sturgill Jr. The suspect, Eric Brandon Garrison, now faces an upgraded charge of second-degree murder, as the town grapples with the aftermath of this unprecedented tragedy.
The incident occurred around 5:45 p.m., during a busy time when the downtown square was alive with activity. Witnesses, many of whom were stalled in traffic or passing by, watched in horror as a verbal altercation spiraled out of control. According to reports, Sturgill was confronted by three men near War Memorial Park, a peaceful spot that contrasts sharply with the violence that ensued. The argument moved into the northbound lane of Main Street, where cars idled at a traffic light, their drivers unwitting spectators to the unfolding drama.
Amid the chaos, Eric Brandon Garrison, a Crossville resident, emerged as the central figure in the tragedy. After a physical altercation with Sturgill, Garrison reportedly broke away, ran across the street to a vehicle, and retrieved a pistol. In a chilling moment captured by several onlookers’ cellphone cameras, he returned and shot Sturgill at point-blank range. The 62-year-old collapsed to the pavement, critically wounded. Emergency responders rushed him to a local hospital before he was airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Despite heroic efforts to save him, Sturgill succumbed to his injuries on Sunday afternoon, August 24, at 2:55 p.m., while on life support.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), alongside the Crossville Police Department and the 13th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, swiftly launched an investigation into the shooting. District Attorney Bryant Dunaway, who requested TBI’s involvement, confirmed that multiple cellphone videos, some described as “disturbing,” are now key pieces of evidence. These recordings, captured by witnesses in real-time, offer a stark glimpse into the moments leading up to and following the shooting, providing investigators with critical insight into the incident.
Eric Brandon Garrison was arrested early Saturday morning and initially charged with attempted second-degree murder. He was booked into the Cumberland County Jail, where he remains held on a staggering $1 million bond. Following Sturgill’s death, authorities announced that Garrison’s charge would be upgraded to second-degree murder, reflecting the fatal outcome of his actions. The Crossville Police Department has emphasized that this appears to be an isolated incident, with no ongoing threat to the public, but the investigation remains active as they piece together the full circumstances.
The shooting marks a grim milestone for Crossville, a town unaccustomed to such violence in its historic downtown. For the first time in recorded history, a man was gunned down on Main Street, directly in front of the courthouse—a symbol of justice now juxtaposed with an act of senseless violence. The community, shaken by the brazen nature of the crime, is left searching for answers. What sparked the confrontation? What drove Garrison to pull the trigger? These questions linger as investigators continue their work.
Authorities are urging anyone with information or additional footage to come forward. The Crossville Police Department has provided contact numbers—931-484-7231 for direct tips or 931-200-1173 for anonymous submissions through Crime Stoppers. As the town mourns Albert Darrell Sturgill Jr., a man whose life was cut short in a moment of fury, the pursuit of justice moves forward, with the weight of a grieving community behind it.