Dickson County Tragedy: 17-Year-Old Taylor Ratterree Dies After Incident Involving Moving Vehicle
A 17-year-old girl was fatally shot Tuesday night in Dickson County, Tennessee, after attempting to escape from a vehicle driven by her former boyfriend, according to law enforcement authorities.
The victim, identified as Taylor Ratterree, had just completed her work shift around 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16. Taylor had recently ended her relationship with Hunter Jackson, 18, though investigators are still working to determine how the two ended up together later that evening.
Authorities say Jackson picked Taylor up from the parking lot of a Kroger grocery store in Dickson. While full details of what occurred inside the vehicle have not been released, investigators believe a confrontation took place during the drive.
As the vehicle approached a traffic signal on Henslee Drive, Taylor reportedly feared for her safety and attempted to exit the moving car from the passenger side. During that attempt, police say Jackson fired a gun, striking her. Jackson then fled the scene, leaving Taylor critically injured in the roadway.
Officers with the Dickson Police Department were initially dispatched on reports of a reckless driver. Upon arrival, they found Taylor lying in the road with a gunshot wound. She was transported to Skyline Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries.
Following an overnight search, law enforcement located Jackson at a residence in White Bluff, Tennessee, around 1:00 a.m. Wednesday. He was taken into custody without incident.
Hunter Jackson has been charged with first-degree homicide and was booked into the Dickson County Jail. He is being held on a $3 million bond, according to jail records.
Family and friends described Taylor as a kind, creative, and vibrant young woman with a bright future. She loved crocheting and frequently sold handmade bumblebee creations at her workplace. Those close to her said she was excited to begin college and had ambitious plans for her life.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details regarding the motive or events leading up to the shooting. The Dickson community continues to express deep grief and support for Taylor’s family as they mourn the loss of a young life taken far too soon.
