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MCSO: Suspect arrested after Monroe Co. shooting leaves one dead

The Monroe Co. Sheriff's Office believes five people were shot but the process of estimating victims was complicated since some took private cars to the hospital.

MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. — UPDATE: The Monroe County Sheriff's Office apprehended suspect Liu Huerta at approximately 9:45 p.m., according to a Facebook post from MCSO. 

Huerta is facing three counts of attempted first-degree murder, attempted aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and the use of a firearm during a dangerous felony, MCSO said. 

Huerta is currently being held at the Monroe County Justice Center and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 27, 2023, MCSO said. 

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ORIGINAL

One person is dead and four others were wounded in a shooting Tuesday in Monroe County, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said. 

The shooting occurred in the 600 block of Hawkins Road around 4:07 p.m., according to MCSO. 

MCSO said they estimated five people were wounded in the shooting, including a minor. They said some victims were transported by ambulance and others were taken to the hospital in a private vehicle, which complicated their process of getting an exact number of victims. 

As of Tuesday night, a victim had died, according to MCSO. 

Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones is asking those who live in the area and have security camera footage or were first-hand witnesses to please contact MCSO at 423-442-3911. 

According to Detective Bill Littleton with the MCSO, one person was taken into custody as of Tuesday night. On Wednesday, they said they determined the person was not a suspect.

The Loudon County Sheriff's Office said they were helping Monroe County deputies respond to the shooting and helping law enforcement find suspects related to the shooting.

The Madisonville Police Department also released information about a person of interest in the shooting. 

MPD said they were looking to find 26-year-old Liu Gabriel Huerta. They also released information about a vehicle of interest. It was a 2014 white Nissan Altima with a Tennessee license plate, "BCC6220."

Credit: Madisonville Police Department

The Sweetwater Police Department also said there were five victims in the shooting and said it happened at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

One of the victims got into a personal car and drove to a Sweetwater hospital. Since a suspect was not in custody at the time, the hospital was briefly placed on lockdown, according to SPD. 

The Sweetwater Hospital Association confirmed there was a shooting in the community, but it did not occur at their building and all employees were safe. They also said they would remain open for anyone who needed emergency care.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said they were also assisting with the shooting.

Additional information about the shooting such as the identity of any victims, the identity of any suspects, or circumstances surrounding the shooting was not immediately available.

This story will be updated when more information is available.

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