At the request of 10th District Attorney General Steve Crump, TBI Special Agents are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday evening in McMinn County.
Preliminary information indicates that deputies with the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 200 block of County Road in Niota in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a male subject, identified as Roger L. Branson (DOB 07/19/60), who was barricaded inside the residence, threatening to harm his wife. Deputies attempted to negotiate with Branson, but he refused to cooperate. As Branson’s wife tried to flee the home, he shot her. According to reports from the scene, deputies then encountered Branson at the back of the residence, where he fired shots at them. Deputies returned fire, striking him. He was transported to a hospital for treatment. No officers were injured during the incident. Branson’s wife, Dawn Branson, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators with the Tennessee Highway Patrol Critical Incident Response Team are assisting in the investigation, which currently remains active and ongoing. As in any case, our 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 departments.
Any updates on this investigation will be posted online at TBINewsroom.com.
TBINewsroom.com 