Hermanville, July 31, 2025 — On the evening of July 29, 2025, at approximately 9:31 p.m., deputies from the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of an active shooting in the Hermanville community. The initial call directed officers to a residence on Valley of the Moon Road, where gunfire was reported. Additional reports soon followed, indicating shots had also been fired at Michael Dean’s Convenience Store, a nearby location in Hermanville.
Deputies patrolling the area quickly identified and pursued a black Ford Focus suspected of being involved in the shooting. The vehicle was stopped safely, and three male suspects were taken into custody without incident. Concurrently, officers responded to reports of a second vehicle near the shooting scenes. At the site of a related accident, four male individuals, all dressed in black, were observed attempting to flee. This vehicle was secured and searched as part of the ongoing investigation.
The investigation yielded multiple firearms recovered from both vehicles. Authorities confirmed that some of these weapons were illegally modified with devices known as “switches,” which convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic ones, a modification prohibited under federal law. Several of the seized firearms were also identified as stolen, adding to the severity of the offenses.
Sheriff Edward Goods praised the deputies and investigative teams for their swift and professional response. “Our deputies demonstrated exceptional courage and precision in apprehending these individuals and removing dangerous weapons from our streets,” Sheriff Goods said. “This operation reflects our unwavering commitment to combatting gun violence and ensuring the safety of our community.”
The suspects are facing multiple charges, including illegal possession of firearms, possession of stolen weapons, and other offenses related to the shootings. They are scheduled to appear before the Claiborne County Justice Court at 10:00 a.m. today, July 31, 2025.
Sheriff Goods announced his intention to petition the court to deny bond for the suspects, emphasizing the need for strong consequences for those who endanger public safety. “We have zero tolerance for acts of violence that threaten our communities,” Sheriff Goods stated. “We urge the court to uphold justice and send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about this incident to contact them at (601) 437-5161 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.
The Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to transparency, community safety, and justice, and will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
