Tanner Rigby

Name of Accused:
Rigby, Tanner Adam

Date of Arrest:
10/10/2024

Charges For Arrest:
AFFRAY (FIGHTING)
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 10/05/2024 I was dispatched to a call in reference to a possible fight with what is described as gunshots being heard. When myself and other deputies were arriving on scene we could see a yellow vehicle with blood smeared on the outside. As we approached the residence, the rail of the steps were broken off and more blood could be found. As myself and other deputies looked into the home, three males could be seen. One male (Tanner Rigby) was covered in blood from head to toe, his shirt could also be seen torn from the collar area to about his mid chest. Tanner also had a significant gash to his left ear. The other male [WITNESS #1], seemed to be just fine. As we commanded Tanner and [WITNESS #1] to come out the house with their hands up and the men were exiting the home, another male could be seen walking towards the rear of the home.
Once Tanner and [WITNESS #1] exited the home and were sitting on the ground, they were asked if there were any weapons in the home. Both Tanner and [WITNESS #1] stated that there are no weapons inside. While one deputy stayed with the two men, myself and another deputy made our way into the home. Upon walking in, we could see that something physical did take place in the home. There were beers cans on the floor of the home, on the counter as well as a significant amount of blood throughout the home, covering the floor, and counter of the kitchen area. While we were checking the immediate area, a small handgun was found on the kitchen counter which had one round of a .25cal in the chamber..
As myself and the other deputy made our way to the rear of the home, we yelled out “Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, come out with your hands up”. As no one came, we began to push towards the room. While approaching the room, to my left was a bathroom that had a trail of blood leading to it. Within the bathroom, blood could be seen in the shower as well as in the sink which had a bloody rag. When at the final room, again we informed the male who we were and stated “Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, come out with your hands up”. Once again the male in the room did not comply. At this point myself and the other deputy exited the home and waited for other deputies to arrive.
Once more deputies arrived, myself and the other deputies made our way back into the residence once again stating “Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, come out with your hands up”. As the male once again did not comply, as we approached the rear room, the door to the room was then kicked in. A male could be seen lying on the bed naked, also covered in blood. The male was quickly handcuffed and then clothed. Once clothed and out of the home, I asked the male, who I was able to identify as Terry Purvis, what had kaken place. Terry states that he could not remember much but remembers watching the Georgia football game with Tanner and [WITNESS #1]. Terry states that while he and Tanner were watching the game, they got into an argument and then they both began fighting, and that’s as much as he remembers.
After speaking with Terry I then went and spoke with Tanner. Tanner pretty much stated the same exact thing and not being able to pinpoint what the actual fight was about, just that they started arguing and then fought. I did ask both parties if a gun was ever pulled on either of them to which they stated no. [WITNESS #1] was also asked about the fight, but states that once Terry and Tanner began arguing, [WITNESS #1] went outside. Once [WITNESS #1] entered the home is when [WITNESS #1] saw Terry and Tanner fighting.
After getting statements from all three men, Terry and Tanner were then placed in handcuffs, but not before being looked over by E.M.S. Once being cleared from E.M.S., Tanner was taken by another deputy to the Effingham County Jail where he was turned away due to injuries and released to the hospital. I transported Terry to the Effingham County Jail where he was also turned away due to bleeding and his injuries. Terry stated that he did not want to go to he hospital but would rather go home. I then Transported Terry to his home in Rincon on Lisa St.
Once I arrived at Terry’s residence, I knocked on the door of his home to advise his spouse of what has happened. After informing the spouse, when Terry was released from my custody, Terry’s spouse asked Terry to not go in the home and begin yelling due to their 6 month old being asleep. Once this was stated, Terry began yelling at his wife screaming “this is my fuking house that I fuking pay for”. This continued on for several minute. I advised Terry that if he continued this that he could be arrested for disorderly conduct, to which terry stated “I dont care”. As this continued, Terry was advised to quit what he was doing or he would be getting arrested again and this time he will go to jail. Terry stated “dont care, take me to Jail”. At this point Terry was granted his wish. Terry was placed in handcuffs, where he began to resist but ended up giving in. Terry was taken to the Effingham County Hospital to first get checked. Once cleared from the hospital, Terry was then Transported to the Effingham County Jail where he was then left in the Hands of the Jail staff.
[End of Narrative]