Suspect arrested in shooting death of truck driver

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says a suspect has been arrested in the shooting death of a truck driver.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says James Huddleston, 27, has been charged with several felonies, including first degree murder.

SCSO first named Huddleston as a person of interest in the case on Wednesday evening.

Authorities sent out an alert for Huddleston after 30-year-old Dajuantae Stuart of Hermitage, Tennessee was found shot to death in the cab of a tractor-trailer on the shoulder of I-269 near Macon Road, just outside the community of Fisherville.

Captain Anthony Buckner with the SCSO told WREG it wasn’t clear how Stuart died until detectives discovered images captured on a camera inside the truck’s cab.

“I don’t know where this case would be if it were not for the video footage,” Buckner said.

According to court documents obtained by WREG, the video footage shows that Huddleston entered the truck while Stuart was in the bunk of the cab. Huddleston could be seen standing in front of Stuart as a gunshot was heard.

Huddleston then dragged Stuart’s body onto the floor and shot him a second time. Court documents state that Huddleston tried to drive the truck away, but was unsuccessful.

Huddleston then got his backpack and left the scene on foot, leaving the handgun behind.

From the truck’s footage, deputies were able to find an image of Huddleston. Buckner said the photos were quickly released to the public.

Court documents state that Huddleston’s father turned him into authorities.

Authorities searched Huddleston’s home and found a gun box with the same serial numbers matching the gun left at the scene. Authorities also discovered clothing that matched the clothing in the video.