Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Ottinger murder investigation
The Cocke County Sheriff's Office is asking for assistance from the public in it's search for a person of interest in a Monday evening death. Cocke County Sheriff Armando Fontes said his department is looking for Travis Rines, 29, in connection with the death of Eugene Ottinger, 48, Merry Way, Parrottsville. The two men reportedly became involved in a physical altercation on the Ottinger property, and “based on the initial investigation both individuals had apparently been drinking alcohol prior to the altercation,” the sheriff said. Cocke County Central Dispatch received an E-911 call at 11:07 pm from a individual who reported the incident. Both the victim and Rines have a lengthy criminal history. The sheriff said Rines is wanted for questioning. The sheriff declined to detail the reason for the altercation or how Ottinger was killed, saying that the investigation is on-going. Rines is described as a white male, 6' tall, 180 lbs, short brown hair, and is believed to be driving a black full size 1986-2003 Chevrolet truck, with tag number S0705J . The sheriff is encouraging the public to not approach Rines because he is considered dangerous. In 2012 Rines was the subject of a stand-off with officers at his Parrottsville home. Half a dozen Cocke County law officers responded to the scene and were told "that (Rines) wasn't going to kill himself, he was going to make the officers kill him." During the stand-off, officers assisted two, four year-old boys to escape the residence through a window. They observed Rines inside the residence, holding a cocked .410 shotgun to his throat. Later he exited the front door, knelt on the ground outside and propped the weapon to his chest. He later was tasered and taken into custody. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Rines should contact the Cocke County Sheriff's Office Central Dispatch 423-623-3064.


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