Man wanted for homicide in Maury County captured in Williamson County

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Maury County murder suspect who was on the run for over a week landed behind bars in Williamson County.

Everything began on Wednesday, September 4 when a shooting call went out near Leipers Creek Road. By Saturday, September 7, the Maury County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) put out a wanted poster for the prime suspect: Michael Van Dobbs.

It was not long after that when Dobbs was put on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted list of fugitives. On Friday the 13th at around 7 p.m., a citizen called the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and told them that Dobbs was in the woods near the Natchez Trace Scenic Trail.

News 2 has obtained WCSO body camera footage that showed the moment Dobbs was taken into custody without incident. When asked if he’s carrying a weapon, the suspect said that he only had ginseng in his pocket.

“Don’t move,” an officer said on the body camera footage. “Turn around. Get on the ground now!”

This dramatic moment ended a 10-day manhunt for an ex-con accused of killing 37-year-old Harold “BJ” Grisham III.

“What happened to him, he didn’t deserve it,” the victim’s father told News 2 in a previous interview.

This Friday the 13th takedown was just one more felony arrest for Dobbs, whose criminal history spans more than 20 years and 44 counts. His previous charges include, but aren’t limited to:

• Numerous drug-related arrests
• Felony thefts
• Child endangerment charges

According to the Tennessee Department of Corrections, Dobbs had been on probation for drug charges when the crime occurred. He was set to be on supervised probation until 2031.

As of publication, Dobbs is in the Williamson County Jail. Officials told News 2 that he would eventually be brought back to Maury County to face his charges there.

The MCSO has yet to release a possible motive in this crime.

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