Sandy MaloneCovington, TN – A 14-hour standoff at a tax preparing business in Covington ended early on Friday when the suspect was shot by a law enforcement sniper after he shot a member of the SWAT team.
The incident began at about 5 p.m. on March 10 when a man took the owner of Dean’s Tax Service hostage inside the business located on Highway U.S. 51 South near Bert Johnston Ave, WHBQ reported.
Tipton County Sheriff Shannon Beasley said there were originally three hostages but a woman who was an employee of the tax preparer was able to escape through the front door with a child, KFVS reported.
Sheriff Beasley said the suspect never made any demands but told deputies that “No one is going to leave here alive tonight.”
The sheriff said the initial altercation was domestic in nature and spiraled out of control, KFVS reported.
Covington police said officials attempted to negotiate with the suspect through the night but he cut off contact with authorities at about 12:39 a.m., WHBQ reported.
12 HOURS LATER: The hostage situation at a tax service in Covington is still underway. Families have been waiting outside since 5 p.m. yesterday for their loved ones. More at 6 on GMM. pic.twitter.com/adBKKIAwND
— Tony Sloan FOX13 Memphis (@TonySloanTV) March 11, 2022
Officials said that suspect repeatedly threatened to kill the woman he was holding hostage.
Hysterical family members were gathered in the parking lot outside the business.
This is NOT over! Rounds are being fired in Covington at standoff location. But the woman inside is out! Family here on the scene are hysterical! @3onyourside pic.twitter.com/NjgH8DZwNx
— Jerrita Patterson (@JerritaP_OnTv) March 11, 2022
Cell phone video filmed by bystanders showed the woman being led away from the business by police shortly after 8 a.m.
#Breaking it appears the hostage situation in Tipton county is over.#FOX13GMM The only station live and local right now @TonySloanTV @ErnieFox13 @FOX13Memphis pic.twitter.com/d2rvlCGZlK
— Valerie (@valonfox) March 11, 2022
When police moved closer to the business to attempt to rescue the hostage, the gunman began shooting at officers, WHBQ reported.
One SWAT officer was shot during the exchange.
The officer was transported to Regional One where he underwent surgery, WHBQ reported.
He was expected to survive his wounds.
The suspect was fatally shot by return fire, WHBQ reported.
Officials have not yet released the identity of the wounded officer, nor have they identified the hostage-taker who was killed.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) will be heading up the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, WHBQ reported.
BREAKING:
12+ hours LONG HOSTAGE SITUATION AT COVINGTON TAX BUSINESS TURNS INTO SHOOTING. pic.twitter.com/rP620wn1sc— Jeremy Pierre FOX13 (@JeremypierreFOX) March 11, 2022
The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office are assisting in the investigation of the officer-involved shooting, WMC reported.
Area schools were closed for the day when the standoff continued into the morning.
#MEMPHIS – 🚓⛔️🚨TRAFFIC RED ALERT for 🚨⛔️🚓#Covington – ongoing hostage situation has Hwy 51 CLOSED at Bert Johnston Ave. Area schools are closing for today. pic.twitter.com/SbYwmsXUlC
— Wendi Hays (@trafficbabe) March 11, 2022
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Holly Matkin
