Juvenile treated, released from hospital after pellet rifle injury

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- LaFollette Police Officer Justin Painter received a call on Saturday around midnight about a juvenile who had been shot with a pellet rifle. Officer Painter went to the scene and found a 15 year old male juvenile who had sustained a fresh, round flesh wound that was slightly left of center on the mid-chest area. According to a report from the LaFollette Police Department, the wound was consistent with a pellet rifle injury.

The officer spoke with the victim who reported that a dark-colored, four door sedan later identified as a 2016 Kia Optima had been circling the residence multiple times. The victim alleged that inside the vehicle were approximately four individuals who had been yelling threats and challenging the juvenile to fight. The altercation appeared to have stemmed from prior disputes over Snapchat and messages.

While Officer Painter was giving other officers the description of the vehicle and individuals involved, Officer Cobb made a traffic stop on a vehicle matching the provided description. Upon questioning the driver of the vehicle identified as Spencer Gauge Keith Miller, he allegedly confessed to firing a pellet rifle toward the juvenile in an attempt to scare him. He also allegedly admitted driving by the residence a total of three times, with the intent of confronting the juvenile whom he claimed to have been involved in the dispute.

Miller continued that during one of the drive-bys, the juvenile began throwing rocks at his vehicle. At that point, Miller exited the vehicle and fired one round from the pellet rifle, which struck the juvenile in the chest.

When the incident occurred Miller had three juveniles in his vehicle. The juvenile victim was transported by ambulance to Tennova Medical Center in LaFollette where the victim was treated and released.  The three juveniles in Miller’s vehicle were released to their guardians.

Miller, 18, 156 McCarty Road, LaFollette was charged with aggravated child endangerment and aggravated assault injury and weapon. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-05/21/2025-6AM)