The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Source: 

Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:44 PM

Missing And Endangered Athens Teen Turns Herself In After Being Named Suspect In Robbery And Shooting

 He said she was in the custody of her mother and father, along with Athens Police Department detectives.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation previously asked for help finding the endangered child.

Devin Skye Hester, 17, was believed to be in the company of multiple people accused in an attempted robbery Sunday in Athens, according to the TBI. Investigators said she may go by the name Skye.

On Monday, Athens police confirmed that Hester was considered a suspect in an armed robbery and shooting at Athens Lodge on Sunday at 6 a.m.

Athens Police identified Hester as one of the people seen in surveillance video with two men from an attempted robbery and shooting at Athens Lodge.

Hester's mother Nikki Walker said her daughter has struggled with drug use in the past, but said the possibility of being involved in a robbery or shooting is out of character for her daughter.

"There's hurt, there's anger and my stomach has been in a knot because I don't know what to think about it," said Walker.

Detective Fred Shultz said Hester was spotted on camera with two other men outside the Athens Lodge during the attempted robbery.

"They talked for a little while and he proceeds to go back in the office once he unlocks it one male subject approaches him with a handgun a struggle ensues and the clerk gets shot in the leg," said Shultz.

The Athens Lodge told local news outlets this weekend the clerk is ok and has been released from the hospital.

At 6:15 a.m. Monday, a 65-year-old man working as the Athens Lodge night clerk went outside to smoke. While outside, officers said he spoke with three people he didn't know for a few minutes. According to a police report, one of the men grabbed the clerk by the shoulder and showed him a gun as he was trying to go back inside the office. Police say the clerk tried knocking the gun down before it discharged and struck him in the leg. Authorities say the clerk locked the suspects outside and called 911 as the suspects ran from the scene.

Officers previously said they were unsure of Hester's role in the robbery, or whether or not she was held against her will. However, on Monday afternoon, police said they did consider her a suspect in the robbery and shooting.

ENDANGERED CHILD ALERT: We need your help to find this missing 17-year-old, believed to be in the company of multiple suspects allegedly involved in an attempted robbery in Athens, Tennessee earlier today.

Spot Devin Hester? Call 1-800-TBI-FIND! Please RT to spread the word! pic.twitter.com/Zoi4vUX8Z1

— TBI (@TBInvestigation) April 2, 2018