By Associated Press - Monday, September 23, 2019

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (AP) - Authorities in Tennessee say a man told them he fired his weapon in self-defense when he fatally shot someone who approached his car in a parking lot.

The Bristol Herald Courier reports Sullivan County sheriff’s officials said in a news release that a man told them on Saturday he was approached by the victim, 29-year-old Rusty Cordle. The man said he’d been driving in front of Cordle on a state highway before pulling into a business lot. He says Cordle pulled in after him and approached his vehicle in a “threatening manner” and he feared for his life. The man shot Cordle, who then entered a store and asked for help.

Cordle died at a hospital.



The sheriff’s office says it’s investigating and will present findings to a grand jury.

___

Information from: Bristol Herald Courier, http://www.bristolnews.com

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.