Press Release for Warren County District Attorney Chris Stanford:
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and my office are investigating a criminal matter that occurred in Warren County this morning and ended in tragedy. It is with a heavy heart that I confirm that Warren County lost a pillar of our community early this morning, Mrs. Phyllis Prater. She and her husband, Gary Prater, have long served our community through their public service, kind generosity, and philanthropic work. Mrs. Prater will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Tragically, Mrs. Prater was killed in a horrific motor vehicle collision Thursday morning in what initially appears to be the result of a senseless spree of felony criminal conduct on the part of the deceased suspect who hit and killed Phyllis Prater. The deceased suspect is believed to be involved in numerous incidents of violent felony criminal conduct across Rutherford and Warren counties that ended with the deadly collision with Prater.
Agents with the TBI and THP made preliminary and presumed identification of the deceased suspect which is Brandon Thomas James (DOB 10/14/2000), formerly of Murfreesboro.
Further, details surrounding the deceased suspect’s identity, his actions during the evident crime spree, and further information surrounding the awful collision that took the life of Prater are not being released due to the ongoing criminal investigation. The TBI and THP have been working diligently to gather all necessary information to ensure a thorough review of the events leading up to this terrible tragedy.
It is necessary to note that a preliminary review of the available evidence reveals that officers and deputies with the City of McMinnville Police Department and Warren County Sheriff's Department handled themselves with the highest level of expertise and integrity during the dangerous situation, which appears to have threatened serious bodily injury or death to officers and deputies with both departments this morning.
Stanford said in the release that he sends his prayers, condolences, and support to Prater’s family and friends and all of Warren County, which this tragic incident will forever scar. Warren County is full of loving and supportive people who care for each other. We plead with the community to all try and put our differences aside for a time and join with me and others in offering our thoughts, prayers, and support to the Prater family as they grieve their tremendous loss.
Rumors and speculation can run rampant in our community at times. However, this is an opportunity for our community to show what we are made of and unite for the Prater family's and our community's best interests. Please also join with law enforcement as we collectively respect the Prater family’s privacy and continue to seek the facts of this incident through further investigation.
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