Teen girl shot and killed by ex-boyfriend as she was trying to get away from him, police say

DICKSON, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - Tennessee authorities said they are investigating the death of a teen girl, and her ex-boyfriend is being charged with her murder.

According to the Dickson Police Department, Taylor ShyAnn Ratterree, 17, was shot and killed Tuesday night as she tried to get away from her ex, identified as 18-year-old Hunter Jackson.

Authorities said Ratterree was picked up by Jackson from work at about 8 p.m. But as they reached a traffic light on Henslee Drive, she tried to jump out of the car, and that’s when Jackson shot her.

Police found Ratterree and took her to Skyline Medical Center, where she died from her gunshot wounds.

Hayla Skelton, a co-worker and friend of Ratterree’s, said she had a conversation with the teen right before she left work.

“She has a beautiful personality. She’s very happy all the time. She never seems to have a dull moment,” Skelton said.

That was the last time Skelton would see Ratterree. Skelton later noticed police lights on Henslee Drive and heard what happened the next day.

“It was very sad. It was very just, like, a wow moment. You just have to kind of sit and think, like, that’s someone you know that is no longer here with us,” she said.

Ratterree’s family said she had big dreams for the future and was excited to start college next year, with one of her passions being crochet.

“It was this little bumblebee that she crocheted, and she was selling them at work and stuff. It was very sweet,” Skelton said.

In a city that has had one homicide a year for the past three years, people in the community said it’s heartbreaking.

“It’s definitely a wake-up call that you need to always watch who you’re around, be careful. You never know how a person actually is,” Skelton said.

Jackson was arrested by Dickson police. He is being charged with first-degree murder and held in jail on a $3 million bond.