McKenzie, Tenn.–McKenzie Police seized multiple handguns, rifles and shotguns, some of which were equipped with high grade attachments and illegal suppressors, packages of the explosive tannerite, ammunition, and a marijuana grow operation during a search warrant at a home in the city limits.
Arrested was Leo G. Palmer III, age 38, Elm Street, McKenzie. As of the time of the press release being issued today, Palmer is charged with two counts of Reckless Endangerment, Possession of a Handgun While Under the Influence and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with additional charges pending. He is being held in the Carroll County Jail in Huntingdon.
According to the press release from the police department, the search warrant was executed on March 24, 2022 at approximately 6:10 p.m., within the 300th block of Elm Street.
This search warrant came after a nearby house had been struck with bullets in early February just a day after an argument between neighbors over dogs.
Investigation into the incident by MPD’s Investigator Justin Brister led to Palmer as the primary suspect. After investigation, a search warrant was conducted at Palmer’s residence on Elm Street for any guns or ammunition matching a handful of different calibers that could be a possible match to one of the bullets recovered from the victim’s home.
Officers met Palmer in his driveway upon execution of the search warrant as Palmer was drinking alcohol with a fully loaded 9mm pistol concealed in his waistband. Officers secured Palmer’s weapon and detained Palmer before they began executing the search warrant finding a large cache of weapons and ammunition throughout the residence.
A small marijuana grow operation was found within the spare bedroom closet that included a small number of planting pots surrounded by aluminum foil illuminated by multiple U.V. lights. The grow operation was currently inactive, but contained evidence of recent use including multiple marijuana leaves in the pots and around the grow operation. A small digital scale and rolling papers commonly used for smoking marijuana were found in the home as well.
A total of sixteen firearms were seized from the residence including handguns, rifles and shotguns of which a large number of the weapons were equipped with high powered optics, red dot sights, laser sights and other high grade attachments. Multiple firearms were found to be equipped with illegal suppressors along with additional parts to construct more supressors. Officers also seized nearly two thousand rounds of ammunition for the above mentioned weapons.
Also found in Palmer’s closet were two packages of an explosive material known as tannerite wrapped in black duct tape.
Upon photographing and inspecting the home for the investigation, officers discovered a countless number of empty shell casings that appeared to have been fired mainly off the back porch of Palmer’s residence. Officers observed a wooden railing appearing to be used as a shooting rest constructed across the back porch doorway of which a foam block target was observed to be directly in line with sixty plus yards from the back porch door.
Upon inspection of the target, empty shell casings and evidence of bullets striking the target and surrounding area, it was determined that Palmer had most likely been firing multiple firearms at the target from his back porch even though Palmer lives well within the city limits of McKenzie and is surrounded by other homes.
The first floor of Palmer’s residence is an above ground basement style floor of which more evidence of Palmer shooting firearms recklessly was observed. Officers observed two areas within the basement level walls that were severely damaged by what appeared to be gun fire. A large number of used firearms targets were found nearby along with a large concrete post that was found to be heavily deformed from an excessive amount of bullets being fired into the post located within a corner of the basement.
This evidence suggests that Palmer was firing weapons at targets within his basement which resulted in multiple rounds exiting the side walls of the home towards other homes nearby.
Palmer was arrested and transported to the Carroll County Jail in Huntingdon for two counts of Reckless Endangerment, Possession of a Handgun While Under the Influence and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with additional charges pending.
The McKenzie Police Department thanks the public for their assistance, and requests that anyone who may have additional information in regards to this case or information regarding Palmer firing weapons in the city limits to please contact Investigator Justin Brister via phone number at 731-352-2265. This investigation is still ongoing at the time of this press release.