At the request of 12th District Attorney General Michael Taylor, TBI Special Agents continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding an officer-involved shooting this afternoon in Franklin County.
Preliminary information indicates the incident began shortly before 2 o’clock this afternoon, when authorities received, via 911, a troubling call from an individual, identified as Randy Wayne Cole (DOB 4-3-76), who indicated he was in the woods in Franklin County with a firearm. Law enforcement officers began to search for Cole, quickly locating him on Deep Woods Road. Initial reports indicate a total of six law enforcement officers tried to negotiate with Cole for a short period. However, the situation escalated.
The TBI is working to verify reports indicating Cole raised his weapon and fired upon the officers, resulting in as many as five of the six officers returning fire, striking the subject. Medics subsequently rushed Cole to a Sewanee hospital, where he later died.
The five officers represent three departments: two from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, two from the Monteagle Police Department, and one from Sewanee.
The TBI does not identify the officers involved in these types of matters. Instead, we defer questions of that nature to their respective departments.
The TBI has Agents and a team of Forensic Scientists on the scene to gather relevant evidence and interviews. We will compile all of that into a set of facts we will submit, as available, to the District Attorney General for his further review and consideration.
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