Jury returns verdict in 2022 Halls Rural King shooting

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Wednesday marked the third and final day in Larry McBee’s murder trial. The man was found guilty of shooting and killing a 23-year-old Halls Rural King employee in 2022.

Several witnesses spoke at the trial, including a neighbor, a Rural King shopper, and investigators.

According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, McBee shot and killed Tristan Smith after he was accused of trying to steal from the store.

Previous Coverage: Who is Larry McBee, suspect in deadly Rural King shooting?

Deana Sims lives next door to McBee’s grandmother on McDonald Avenue. She told the court that McBee came to her house twice shortly after the shooting.

She also said that, during one of his visits, McBee asked her if a picture that appeared in a WVLT story looked like him. Sims claimed she told McBee it did, and he admitted to the shooting.

Also on the list of witnesses was Chris Chandler, who was shopping at the Rural King that day. He told the court that he saw McBee placing items into his bag.

Two investigators also spoke at the trial: Tiffany Crawford and Eddie Wassman.

The two investigated pieces of evidence like McBee’s cellphone. Wassman said he went through the suspect’s phone and found searches for Rural King, Knoxville police response times and nearby gun shops.

Finally, the court also saw surveillance video from the shooting. It showed a man walking up to an employee, Smith, and running out of an emergency exit, with Smith following him outside.

Jury deliberations took less than an hour, and the jury returned a verdict convicting McBee of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison.