Holly MatkinWears Valley, TN – A Sevier County deputy and two other victims were hospitalized on Tuesday night after an incident involving an armed suspect.
Sevier County deputies were dispatched to the 3000-block of Robeson Road for a report of a domestic disturbance shortly before 6 p.m., the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said in a press release.
Investigators later determined that a male suspect had assaulted his son, Sevier County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Chief Deputy Michael Hodges told WATE.
The suspect’s daughter then called the sheriff’s office for help.
When deputies arrived at the scene, they encountered an armed man.
“For reasons still under investigation, the situation escalated, resulting in shots being fired,” TBI said.
Investigators said the suspect and at least one deputy fired their weapons during the encounter, WATE reported.
The armed suspect was wounded in the shooting and airlifted to UT Medical Center.
A SCSO deputy suffered unknown injuries during the incident and was transported to LeConte Medical Center.
The suspect’s children fled the area amid the mayhem but were located by investigators shortly after the shooting, WATE reported.
Both are adults, according to WVLT.
They suffered injuries prior to the deputies’ arrival and were also transported to Le Conte Medical Center, according to WATE.
Investigators said the deputy and the children are expected to recover.
Details regarding their injuries were not released.
The suspect’s wounds are also not considered to be life-threatening, WATE reported.
TBI agents have been requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting in Sevier County. pic.twitter.com/eknQbLIZzi
— Kyle Grainger WVLT (@KyleGrainger) July 14, 2021
HAPPENING NOW:
Officers from TBI & Sevier County Sheriff's Office are on the scene, responding to an officer-involved shooting near Wears Valley.
I am told that both the officer 7 suspect are hospitalized with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.
More on @wbir pic.twitter.com/9S9HUWyrj0— Alex Myers (@AlexMyersTV) July 14, 2021
The TBI will be handling the ongoing investigation into the officer-involved shooting at the request of 4th District Attorney General James Dunn, according to the agency’s press release.
“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,” the TBI noted. “That decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBI’s involvement.”
The SCSO is handling the investigation into the domestic disturbance incident, WATE reported.
No charges had been filed in either case as of Tuesday night, according to the news outlet.
Sandy Malone