A tragedy took place in the parking lot of Dolly Parton's Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
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The Sevier County Sheriff's Office has shared that Evan Cogdill is being charged with criminally negligent homicide. The 24-year-old allegedly shot Jacob Inselmann near the themed restaurant on Saturday, April 25, around 7:35 p.m.
What Happened at Dolly Parton's Stampede?
As reported by Rolling Stone, Cogdill, who hails from Marissa, Illinois, was charged on Sunday, April 26, for the death of Inselmann, who was from Steeleville, Illinois.
According to the Pigeon Forge Police Department, the two men were in a car outside of Dolly Parton's Stampede. Cogdill's firearm went off and struck Inselmann.
After the shooting, Cogdill contacted the police. Inselmann was pronounced dead later that evening at LeConte Medical Center. The investigation is ongoing. Representatives for Dolly Parton's Stampede did not immediately respond to the Rolling Stone's request for comment.
What Is Dolly Parton's Stampede?
Much like the restaurant Medieval Times, those who come into Dolly Parton's Stampede get dinner and a performance.
The show has a family-friendly North-versus-South Civil War theme. It's a rodeo with comedy routines, special effects, and acrobatic tricks on horses, taking place while guests enjoy a four-course Southern meal that includes soup, a whole rotisserie chicken, pulled pork, and corn on the cob. Parton also added a new segment titled "Butterfly Dreams."
But back in 2018, the tourist attraction changed its name from Dixie Stampede to its present moniker.
Dolly Parton commented on the name change, saying, "When they said 'Dixie' was an offensive word, I thought, 'Well, I don't want to offend anybody. This is a business. We'll just call it 'The Stampede.' As soon as you realize that [something] is a problem, you should fix it. Don't be a dumbass. That's where my heart is. I would never dream of hurting anybody on purpose."
Dolly Parton's Stampede operates an additional location in Branson, Missouri, where guests enjoy similar entertainment inside a 35,000-square-foot arena.
