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Lenoir City man indicted on 1st degree murder charges in death of roommate

Investigators say David T. Miles shot and killed Dakota Willard in February.

LOUDON COUNTY, Tenn. — A Loudon County grand jury has indicted a Lenoir City man on multiple charges in the shooting death of his roommate.

David Tyler Miles faces charges of 1st Degree Murder in the death of Dakota Willard, along with Felony-Murder, Especially Aggravated Burglary and Theft $10,000 - $60,000.

He will be arraigned on August 19.

Previous story - Feb. 12, 2019

A man killed in his home in Lenoir City Monday has been identified as Dakota Willard, 23, of Lenoir City.

The Loudon County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that Willard was killed in his home by David T. Miles the day before.

Authorities tracked down investigators identified him as the suspect in the shooting death of a person at a home on Lee Hi Street in Loudon County.

David T. Miles appeared in a courtroom Tuesday around 10 a.m. for an initial appearance. The judge set bond at $2,113,000 and set his next hearing date for March 6, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.

Miles faces charges including first-degree murder, theft of property over $10,000, misdemeanor theft of property, and aggravated burglary. 

According to court documents, a witness said Miles came into the home and told him to close his eyes because he needed to talk to the victim. He said he was then told to go into the back bedroom and close his eyes. The report said the witness told investigators he heard two gunshots and when he opened his eyes the victim was dead on the couch and had been shot. 

The witness said he waited until Miles drove away and then he went and called 911 at a nearby family member's home. He told investigators Miles was in a gray Ford Fusion, according to the affidavit of complaint. 

The victim "had apparent gunshot wounds to his right upper chest area and to the back of the head area behind his ear and was dead at the scene", the report said. 

The witness also alleged, in the report, that Miles stole his brother's vehicle and shotgun. The Loudon County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday afternoon that Miles' brother was taking a shower when Miles reportedly stole his shotgun and car and went to the home on Lee Hi Street.

The report also said upon further investigation, officials learned Miles had "made statements previously about causing said victim harm". 

In a news conference Tuesday, the sheriff's office said Miles had lived in the home on and off and Williard had been living there in and out since mid-January. 

Within hours of a wanted alert going out about Miles, someone spotted his vehicle and called 911, leading to his arrest.

The Loudon County Sheriff's Office notified the media that they were looking for Miles after a man was found shot in a residence on Lee Hi Street in Loudon County.

The message spread quickly through social media, and that led to Miles' capture.

Credit: Loudon County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Loudon County Sheriff's Office

“An observant citizen saw the suspects vehicle and recognized it to be the same vehicle and tag that we had released via social media earlier this morning. That citizen contacted Knox County E911 and Officers from the Knoxville Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff's Office immediately responded and initiated a stop that led to the capture of Miles” said Sheriff Tim Guider.

Miles was arrested in the Bridgwater/Gallaher View area around 2:45 p.m. Monday.

“From the minute we arrived on scene and knew we had a crime of this nature, we reached out to our colleagues in Knox County and disseminated the information we had in order to begin locating our suspect. That work, along with amazing help from our media partners and the regional community sharing our social media release, led to a swift capture of this suspect”, said Chief Deputy Jimmy Davis. “We are so thankful for the hard and professional work of our detectives, our patrol division, our Loudon County E911 Dispatchers, our colleagues with KCSO and KPD and the help from the community - job well done to all.”

Miles was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries sustained prior to his arrest.

Original story

The Loudon County Sheriff's Office is investigating an early morning shooting that left one man dead in Lenoir City.

Around 8:15 a.m., deputies responded to a “shots heard” call on Lee Hi Street in Lenoir City, according to LCSO.

Deputies said they found a man, who will not be identified until next of kin is notified, deceased from what appeared to be gunshot wounds.

LCSO says the suspect is at-large and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Credit: Loudon County Sheriff's Office
David T. Miles, suspect

The suspect is a white Loudon County resident named David T. Miles, 26, according to LCSO.

Miles was last seen driving a Grey 2010 Ford Fusion with a Tennessee registration of M89-61B, according to officials.

Credit: Loudon County Sheriff's Office
Suspect's car Ford Fusion M89-61B

Officials say Miles has family in Loudon County but also has ties to Knox County addresses. Knox County Sheriff’s Office has been notified and is assisting LCSO with those locations.

Loudon County schools near the scene have been placed on lockdown, for precautionary measures, until suspect has been apprehended, according to LCSO.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Loudon County E911 Center at 865-458-9081.

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