At the request of 11th Judicial District Attorney General Coty Wamp, TBI special agents continue to investigate the circumstances that led to an officer-involved shooting Thursday night involving officers with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Preliminary information indicates that members of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office were conducting an enforcement operation in the 4800 block of Highway 58 in Chattanooga. During this operation, deputies ordered a male individual from his vehicle in an attempt to take him into custody. Initial reports indicate that the driver refused to comply with officers’ commands and attempted to flee, striking at least one deputy with his vehicle, as well as three unoccupied civilian vehicles. During that attempt to flee, two deputies discharged their firearms, striking the man. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment. One deputy was transported to a local hospital for precautionary treatment. Troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to work the accident scene involving the civilian vehicles.
At this time, this investigation remains active and ongoing. TBI agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for her further review and consideration. The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBI’s involvement.
The TBI does not identify the officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to the respective department to answer as it sees fit.
Any available updates on this investigation will be posted online at TBINewsroom.com.
TBINewsroom.com 