Shooting in Middle City Community Leaves Young Woman Critically Injured — 19-Year-Old Craig Bolden Charged with Attempted First Degree Murder
Dyer County, TN — A peaceful afternoon was shattered by violence on July 31, 2025, when gunfire rang out around 1:00 p.m. on Lyte Circle in the Middle City Community, located just west of Dyersburg. The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that a 19-year-old woman was critically injured in what is being investigated as a domestic-related shooting incident. The suspect, identified as Craig Bolden, a 19-year-old Black male, has been formally charged with Attempted First Degree Murder.
According to law enforcement, deputies and emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene following reports of gunfire at a residential home. Upon arrival, they discovered the female victim suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was airlifted from the scene to a Level One Trauma Center, where she remains in critical condition under intensive medical care.
Authorities confirmed that multiple witnesses were inside the residence at the time the incident occurred. Investigators with the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office have been interviewing those individuals to piece together the circumstances that led to the shooting. While the exact motive is still under investigation, early indications suggest the incident may be connected to a domestic dispute.
Sheriff Jeff Box addressed the press with a somber tone, stating, “This is a sad day for the victim and her family. We are committed to a fair and thorough investigation into this tragic domestic incident. We appreciate the cooperation of the community and encourage anyone with additional information to come forward. Please remember this young victim in your prayers.”
The Sheriff’s Office also emphasized that this incident is not connected to the ongoing quadruple homicide investigation in nearby Lake County, which has led to an active manhunt for Austin Robert Drummond. Authorities urged the public not to conflate the two cases, as they are entirely unrelated.
As the investigation remains active, additional charges against Bolden could be filed pending further developments and forensic evidence. Detectives continue to gather statements, analyze physical evidence from the crime scene, and await further updates on the victim’s medical condition.
Community members have begun expressing concern over the rise in youth-involved violent crimes in the area. Many are calling for more resources, outreach, and intervention programs to help prevent similar tragedies in the future. While the identity of the victim has not been released publicly out of respect for her privacy and the ongoing investigation, her condition continues to be a point of deep concern for both law enforcement and the local community.
Those who may have witnessed the event or have any additional information are urged to come forward. The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office has asked that anyone with tips or knowledge about the incident contact them directly at (731) 285-2802. Information can be provided anonymously and may prove critical in building a complete picture of what transpired.
As the Middle City community processes the trauma of yet another act of senseless violence, Sheriff Box’s message remains clear: “Let us come together in support of the victim, and stand united in the pursuit of truth and justice.”
