Family mourns man’s death in Maury County as search continues for homicide suspect

MAURY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Following a homicide in Maury County last week, law enforcement is on the hunt for a suspect whose criminal history dates back more than two decades.

The Maury County Sheriff’s Department posted about 46-year-old Michael Van Dobbs on Saturday, Sept. 7, saying he was wanted for criminal homicide and should be considered “armed and dangerous.” Dobbs is accused of killing 37-year-old Harold “BJ” Grisham III.

BJ’s dad, Harold Grisham Jr., showed News 2 a video of BJ holding onto his little girl. Harold now keeps that video as a memory.

“What happened to him, he didn’t deserve it,” Harold said.

BJ was reportedly shot and killed at a property off Old Leipers Creek Road last week. Harold said BJ lived there with his girlfriend.

“You’re angry; you’re in denial, I guess is the word for it; you can’t really believe this,” Harold explained.

On Monday, Sept. 9, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) added the suspect in BJ’s case to its “Most Wanted” list.

According to BJ’s friends, the motive behind the deadly shooting may have been a love triangle.

“I’ve never seen him before in my life,” Harold said, referring to Dobbs. “I wouldn’t know him if he walked up here if I hadn’t have seen his picture.”

Based on documents from the sheriff’s department, Dobbs’ criminal history in Maury County started in 2002. Records show a total of 44 charges against Dobbs in the span of 21 years, including theft, burglary, drug-related offenses, child endangerment, and assault.

“He seems like he’s been in trouble several times, so it’s not his first rodeo, I don’t think,” Harold stated.

Harold told News 2 he wished he knew more about what happened to his son.

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According to the TBI, Dobbs is 6 feet tall, weighs about 240 pounds, and has blond hair and blue eyes.

A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to Dobbs’ arrest, officials said.

If you see Dobbs or have any information regarding his whereabouts, you are asked not to approach him. Instead, call the Maury County Sheriff’s Department at 931-388-5151 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND .

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