According to a press release issued today (Dec. 2,) Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred around 10 p.m., Nov. 30, 2018, at a residence on Bunker Hill Road near the White County line.  Deputies from Putnam and White counties responded to a residence, in White County, where a shooting victim was located. The victim has been identified as a 26-year-old White County man. He was transported by ambulance to Cookeville Regional Medical Center and later transferred to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville. He is currently in stable condition. A 31-year-old female and a 31-year-old male suffered non-life-threatening injuries from an assault during the incident as well.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office searched the residence on Bunker Hill Road where the shooting occurred, but the suspect had already fled. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators collected evidence and interviewed witnesses at the scene. Law enforcement officials also checked several leads for the suspect throughout the night and into the early morning hours on Saturday.

The suspect has been identified as 38-year-old Avert Lee Johnson, also known as “Kojak.” He is described as a white male approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. He is bald with brown facial hair and has numerous tattoos on both arms. His last known address was in Putnam County, and he may be in the company of a white female with dark hair.

According to Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson has a lengthy criminal history, in Putnam County, dating back to 2013, including assault, drug violations, weapon violations, and traffic related offenses. He is affiliated with the Aryan Brotherhood and should be considered armed and dangerous. There is active arrest warrant out on Johnson for aggravated assault, and additional charges are possible as this investigation develops. His whereabouts are unknown, and the investigation remains ongoing. If you see Johnson or know anything of his whereabouts, please contact law enforcement immediately.