FRIDAY I-40 DECEASED SHOOTING SUSPECT IDENTIFIED

TBI special agents are investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting of a Putnam County man during an altercation with a Cumberland County Sheriff’s deputy over the weekend.  Preliminary information indicates that around 9 p.m. Friday, dispatchers received a report of a pick-up truck traveling eastbound in the westbound lane of I-40 near mile marker 311. A Cumberland County deputy responding to the area found the vehicle unoccupied, on the shoulder of the interstate. Another deputy located the driver, identified as 55-year-old David Denman Talbert (DOB 05/07/1966), of Cookeville, standing on the outside lane of the interstate.  The deputy told Mr. Talbert to show his hands. Initial information from the scene indicates Talbert brandished a handgun and ran towards the deputy. The deputy fired at Talbert, striking him. David Talbert was pronounced deceased at the scene. No officers were injured in the incident. The investigation is ongoing and the TBI will share its findings with the district attorney general for his further review and consideration.