The family of Ed and Charlotte House asked the Department to release the following statement on their behalf, following Sunday’s tragic crash:
“The overwhelming grief over this loss is indescribable. Our family feels the love and prayers of so many. But now, and in the days ahead, we want the community to join us in directing that love and those prayers toward the other family; for their comfort, complete healing, and recovery during this unimaginable time.”
The House family, so rooted in first responder service, expressed their earnest appreciation for the first responders who worked so hard to save lives and bring hope to all eight of yesterday’s victims.
Franklin Police are investigating after a 2-vehicle Easter afternoon crash at Murfreesboro Rd. and Royal Oaks Blvd. sent eight people to three different hospitals. A beloved Franklin couple, Ed and Charlotte House, died yesterday. The victims in the second vehicle, two adults and four children, were seriously hurt.
Preliminary investigation indicates that Mr. House was traveling west on Murfreesboro Rd. when, for reasons unknown, he crashed into the rear end of the other vehicle while it was stopped for a red light, waiting to turn left onto Royal Oaks Blvd.
Mr. and Mrs. House were the parents of retired Franklin Fire Department Battalion Chief Eddie House, a 34-year member of the FFD. Chief House now serves as Deputy Chief for the Spring Hill Fire Department. Mr. House, 81, was a 20-year volunteer member of the Franklin Fire Department. Mrs. House, 77, served for 14 years in the City’s Finance Department, retiring in 2010.
Our entire city team is deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. and Mrs. House, and our prayers are with their family and the other victims who were involved in this terrible crash.
(Surveillance photos taken from Hardee’s and nearby area businesses)
Franklin Police and Crime Stoppers are offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information that helps to identify this March 9 robber who held up the Columbia Avenue Hardee’s.
The suspect was wearing two jackets and a baseball hat when he walked into the restaurant at 5:15 am, indicated that he had a gun, and demanded money. No one was injured during the robbery. The suspect can be seen in a nearby surveillance photo carrying a skateboard.
Through an exhaustive video review and the tireless work of investigators, every victim whose image was captured and stored on the hidden GoPro found in a Premier Athletics changing and restroom has been identified, 55 in all.
The initial information shared by the Department was that there were 60 victims, but that number has since changed to 55, as some of the victims were filmed by that camera more than once. Fifty-three of the victims are minors, and the parents of every minor victim, and the two adult victims have all been notified.
The Department’s continued efforts in this case are now focused on two things: (1) Preparing a Grand Jury presentment in which we will be seeking charges on behalf of the victims, and (2) The thorough review of additional evidence in this case. The Franklin Police Department wants to ensure that the suspect is held fully accountable for his crimes by leaving no stone unturned. While we’ve made some incredible progress, the investigation is far from over.
Anyone with information regarding this case can share it directly with detectives by emailing concern@franklintn.gov.
As the investigation into a hidden camera found inside a girls bathroom at Premier Athletics continues, Franklin Police want to provide an update to victims and parents.
The GoPro camera that was found hidden in a girls changing and restroom has been reviewed. Videos of 60 females, mostly minors, were discovered on the camera. Detectives believe that the suspect had been intermittently staging the camera to capture video in the restroom since September. Two of the 60 victims appear to have been partially undressed in the videos. Working with facility management, detectives have identified 47 of the 60 victims and are in the process of notifying their parents. Detectives are working to identify the remaining 13 victims.
The girls changing and restroom at the center of this investigation is located inside the Premier Athletics suite. There is no current evidence to suggest that other restrooms or private areas in the multi-tenant facility were compromised.
Franklin Police Detectives are examining a variety of other evidence seized as part of the investigation and expect to file multiple charges. Once formally charged in this case, Franklin Police will identify the suspect, his charges, bond amount, and court date.
The placement of a camera in such a private place is a violation of trust in its most extreme form. This is terribly upsetting to parents and their children, and it is just as troubling to us. The Department is working diligently to safeguard sensitive images, to help victims and their families cope, and to prepare a solid criminal case for the courtroom.
Parents can share information they may have about this case by emailing Franklin Police at: concern@franklintn.gov
Jeffrey White, the suspect who attempted to evade officers yesterday afternoon, remains jailed this morning.
The 19-year-old originally fled from Metro Police before also attempting to evade Franklin Officers who tried pulling him over near downtown. It came to an end on Acton Street near Natchez Street after White crashed into four cars, including two Franklin Police cars and a fence before being boxed in and taken into custody by FPD Officers. Police helicopters aided in White’s tracking and capture. No one was injured during his brazen attempted getaway.
Charged with Aggravated Assault, Felony Evading, Reckless Endangerment, x2 counts of Leaving the Scene of a Crash, x2 counts of Failure to Report a Crash, and Driving Without a License, White is being held on an $84,500 bond.
UPDATE: Last week, Franklin Police asked for the public’s help to identify two Felony Evading suspects who eluded police in a white Toyota Tacoma on November 18, in Cool Springs.
Tips poured in and 23-year-old Jordan Gerber, of Shelbyville, is now behind bars in Bedford County, awaiting forthcoming charges in Franklin. The male in the photo has also been identified. Franklin Police want to thank the many engaged citizens who called in to share information on this case.
With the help of citizen tips, Brandon Vaughn, of Hermitage, was identified and recently arrested for stealing three PS4 games from the Cool Springs Target in 2019.
Vaughn, charged with Theft, is free on the $1,500 bond set by the Magistrate. He is due in court on January 19.
With the help of citizen tips, 23-year-old Dakota O’Daniel, the gunman in the October 26 armed robbery of the S. Royal Oaks Blvd. Starbucks has been apprehended in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, where he had fled to and was hiding out.
The convicted felon is awaiting extradition to Williamson County where he will be booked for Aggravated Robbery.
