February 12

Loudon County Sheriff's Department

VICTIM OF DEADLY SHOOTING IDENTIFIED, SUSPECTED SHOOTER OFFICIALLY CHARGED

LENOIR CITY, TENNESSEE - At a press conference held at the Loudon County Justice Center today, Chief Jimmy Davis, accompanied by LCSO CID Detectives, announced the charges that had officially been filed against 26 year old, David T. Miles, in the shooting death of 23 year old, Dakota Willard.

At approximately 8:16 am yesterday, Deputies responded to a report of “shots fired” at 165 Lee Hi Lane, in Loudon County. On scene they found a deceased male, later identified as Dakota Willard, who appeared to have two gun shot wounds, one to the chest and one to the back of his head. Witnesses on scene were able to identify the shooter as Miles. Miles fled the scene in a stolen car, and after several hours, was taken into custody by KPD and LCSO, thanks to a call from an observant citizen who had seen the Sheriff’s Office Facebook posts with the suspect and vehicle information.

Miles has been charged with:

-Murder, First Degree
-Theft of Property (over $10,000.)
-Theft of Property
-Especially Aggravated Burglary

Miles is being held at the Loudon County Detention Facility. His bond was issued for $2,000,000.00. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 6, 2019 at 8:30 am

LCSO: Murder suspect stole from brother, killed friend, ran

LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A Lenoir City murder suspect stole guns from his brother, killed his friend, then went on the run, according to the Loudon County Sheriff's Office.

Loudon County Sheriff's Office announced the identity of the victim in a deadly Lenoir City shooting on Tuesday. Dakota Willard, 23, was shot and killed Monday.

According to officials, the suspect, 26-year-old David Miles, may have been motivated by a relationship which involved a third party. Miles was living in the home with the victim and another person.

Miles is charged with charges of First Degree Murder, two counts of Theft of Property, and Especially Aggravated Burglary.

The Loudon County Sheriff's Office said Miles was taken into custody on the afternoon of Monday, February 11.

Authorities said a warrant has been filed in Loudon County Court charging Miles with First Degree Murder, among other charges, and his bond has been set for over $2 million.

Miles initial court date is scheduled for March 6.

Miles was arrested by Knox County Sheriff's Office deputies in West Knoxville near Bridgewater Road and Walkers Springs Road. An ambulance transported him to Parkwest Medical Center.

WVLT News captured exclusive video of Miles exiting the hospital around 4:15 p.m. while in the custody of a Loudon County Sheriff's Office deputy.

Deputies were searching for Miles after a man was found dead inside a home Monday morning in Lenoir City.

According to a release from the sheriff's office, Miles was caught with help from an observant citizen who saw the suspected vehicle and called Knox County 911.

That citizen, Laura Spalding, spoke with WVLT News on Monday evening. She said she and her best friend were driving down the interstate when they saw Miles.

"I look over to my best friend and say 'There's no way.' He goes, 'no, those are the wheels'."

She said at first, she didn't know what to do. "I just kind of froze. I was crying. I was scared. So, immediately I just called 911." She said she followed the suspect vehicle until law enforcement got on the scene.

LCSO said officers from KCSO and KPD responded immediately and stopped Miles at around 2 p.m. He was captured at the intersection of Walkers Springs Road and Bridgewater Road.

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2/13/19