At the request of 4th District Attorney General James Dunn, TBI Special Agents are investigating the circumstances surrounding an officer-involved shooting that occurred this morning in Sevierville.

Preliminary information indicates that just before 4:00 a.m., officers with the Pigeon Forge Police Department attempted to stop a driver suspected of DUI along the Parkway. The driver, identified as Johnathon A. Sellers (DOB 04/02/2000), failed to stop and led officers on a pursuit into Gatlinburg before turning and driving back to Pigeon Forge. As Sellers crossed into the Sevierville city limits, officers with the Sevierville Police Department deployed spike strips in the northbound lanes of the Parkway, disabling the vehicle. Sellers exited the vehicle with a shotgun resulting in three Pigeon Forge officers firing shots, striking him. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation, as TBI Special Agents and Forensic Scientists continue to work to gather any and all relevant interviews and evidence. As in any case, TBI’s investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General throughout the process for his consideration and review.

As is our policy, the TBI does not identify the officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to their respective department.

Any updates on this investigation will be posted online at TBINewsroom.com.

Published by Leslie Earhart