JELLICO, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – At the request of 6th District Attorney General Charme Allen, TBI special agents are investigating the circumstances that led to a fatal officer-involved shooting in Knox County Thursday evening.

The incident involved the Jellico Police Department and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Preliminary information indicates that just before 11:30 p.m., an officer with the Jellico Police Department became involved in a vehicle pursuit that began in Whitley County, Kentucky. The pursuit continued southbound on Interstate 75, crossing into Anderson County. The Jellico officer and deputies with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office pursued the vehicle until the driver lost control and crashed just passed the Raccoon Valley Road entrance ramp on I-75 in Knox County. Upon approaching the vehicle, for reasons still under investigation, officers fired shots, striking the driver. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No officers were injured during the incident.

TBI agents continue to work 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 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.

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