Cookeville, TN – On November 18, 2025, at approximately 12:12am officers with the Cookeville Police Department responded to a reported shooting at the Waffle House on South Willow Avenue.

When officers arrived, they located a 21-year-old male victim who had sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Preliminary information indicates that a verbal altercation occurred in the parking lot between the victim’s party and an adult male suspect who was later identified as Derrick J. Brown (40). During the altercation, Brown produced a firearm and shot the victim before leaving the scene on foot. The victim was transported to Cookeville Regional Medical Center and later transferred to Vanderbilt Medical Center, where he remains in critical but stable condition.

Throughout the morning of November 18, 2025, Cookeville Police Department personnel conducted an extensive search for the suspect, utilizing drone support, K9 tracks, and additional patrol units. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and Tennessee Highway Patrol also assisted in the search for Brown. At approximately 10:31 a.m., officers located Brown at a business on Gould Drive in Cookeville. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with Aggravated Assault (X2) and Unlawful Carry or Possession of a Weapon.
This incident remains an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Det. Matheney at 931-520-5223.