A Weakley County Sheriff’s deputy, Derrick Bonham, was killed early Friday morning at Pocket’s Gas Station while investigating a reported shooting near the Days Inn on University Street in Martin, Tenn.

The suspect, identified as Khristi Cunningham, 42, is an Ohio resident, and in the custody of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The TBI has formally charged Cunningham with one count of first-degree murder.

According to the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office, at 2:52 a.m. Cunningham called the Martin Police Department to report “shots fired” near the Days Inn on 800 University St. and Weakley County Sheriff’s Officers reported to assist, after which, Cunningham fired a pistol near the Days Inn parking lot. Cunningham then drove to the parking lot of Pocket’s Gas Station while continuing to call 9-1-1 and hang up. Law enforcement personnel were able to track Cunningham’s cell phone. As Bonham arrived on the scene, he parked next to Cunningham in her car in the parking lot of Pocket’s Gas station, located at 821 University St. Cunningham, who was still calling 9-1-1, brandished a weapon and shot Bonham who was fatally wounded. The deputy was taken to Volunteer Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“(He was) kind, quiet, humble. All about business, the kind of person you want to hire. He never caused an issue or had a problem with anyone,” Sheriff Terry McDade said during a press conference on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.

Bonham was a husband and father to three children. He would have celebrated his two-year anniversary with the department next month.

According to McDade, deputy Bonham spoke with the suspect as she was in her vehicle. As the conversation was happening, the woman opened her car door and shot Bonham. As he fell to the ground, she proceeded to shoot him again.

McDade stated he hopes the suspect receives the death penalty and explained that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation would be handling much of the case, along with sharing information and findings through the department if necessary.