According to a report by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, on April 29, 2026, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Deputy Holden Atkinson responded to a report of shots fired at Plateau Road in Crossville, Tennessee. Two individuals stated that James Leslie Ramey (59), who lives at the residence, came outside cursing at them before firing a rifle and pointing it in their direction while they were in the nearby church parking lot.

Ramey admitted to the deputy that he fired approximately four rounds from a .22 Magnum rifle into the air to scare the pair away, claiming he was protecting his property. He told officers he does this regularly and acknowledged shooting toward people on adjacent property.

Deputy Atkinson took Ramey into custody on-view for Reckless Endangerment. A Rossi RS22M semi-automatic .22 Magnum rifle, a magazine, four live .22 Magnum rounds, and four spent shell casings were seized as evidence.

Ramey was transported to jail without further incident.