A man was arrested following a tense situation at the Buffalo Valley rest area on I-40 in Smith County. He reportedly brandished a shotgun and held individuals at gunpoint, authorities confirmed. The incident, which occurred yesterday, prompted a rapid response from Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) troopers and Smith County Sheriff's deputies.
The Smith County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Gregory James Daniel, a 43-year-old from Franklin, North Carolina. According to a WKRN report, Daniel is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, and evading arrest. The initial confrontation at the rest area led to Daniel fleeing the scene, with law enforcement officers considering him "very dangerous."
A trooper later dispatched to a nearby incident involving a motorist in distress near mile marker 267 on I-40 made contact with Daniel, who matched the suspect's description, as noted by WSMV. An attempt to detain Daniel resulted in a brief pursuit as he ran into the adjacent woods. Detailed descriptions of the suspect provided by authorities had urged the public to remain vigilant, as the manhunt was underway.
The capture occurred after nearby residents spotted Daniel, leading to his arrest near Hopewell Road and Medley Amonette Road, according to the Cookeville District of the Tennessee Highway Patrol's announcement on the social media platform X, as reported by the Herald-Citizen. The public's assistance proved critical in resolving this potentially dangerous situation, highlighting the cooperative dynamic between law enforcement and the community it serves.
No further details about the rest area incident or the circumstances leading up to the arrest have been made available. The incident, now under investigation, has captured the attention of local residents and travelers alike, who rely on the safety and security of public rest areas along the interstate.
