Carter County man charged after firing gun over truck noise

Published 10:47 am Friday, February 7, 2025

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A Carter County man is facing felony charges after deputies say he discharged a firearm out of frustration with large trucks driving by his residence.

Thomas Robert Gambrel, 47, of 113 Landfill Road, Elizabethton, was arrested Thursday by Carter County Sheriff’s Office deputies and charged with two counts of aggravated assault.

Deputies responded to the Carter County Landfill on Thursday morning after a 911 caller reported that two dump truck drivers had heard gunshots while traveling on Landfill Road.

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When officers arrived, the truck drivers told them they had briefly stopped in front of a residence to speak to each other when they heard several gunshots coming from the property. The drivers then left the area and called 911.

One driver reported that the previous day, while he was driving on Landfill Road, a man ran toward him, climbed up to his truck window, and warned that if drivers continued using “jake brakes” near his home, he would shoot at them. The driver said that when he stopped in the road Thursday, he heard six gunshots and saw the same man from the day before holding a black pistol. Fearing for his safety, he called 911.

Deputies went to 113 Landfill Road and saw six spent shell casings near the residence’s front door.

While officers were at the scene, a man, later identified as Gambrel, pulled into the driveway and asked if he could help them. When he exited his vehicle, officers saw he was carrying a pistol in a side holster.

Deputies secured the weapon and questioned Gambrel about the gunfire. According to the arrest affidavit, Gambrel admitted to firing into his yard out of frustration with the truck noise. When asked why he had discharged his weapon, he reportedly replied, “To get them to stop.”

Gambrel was arrested and transported to the Carter County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond pending his arraignment.