Crime & Safety
Tennessee Sheriff's Deputy Shot, Injured In Sullivan County
Deputies were performing a welfare check when a man began firing at them, officials said.
SULLIVAN COUNTY, TN — A Tennessee sheriff's deputy is in serious condition and a suspect is dead following an officer-involved shooting in Sullivan County Saturday.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the incident started early Saturday when Sullivan County deputies responded to a home on highway 11W for a welfare check. The welfar check was for a man identified as 44-year-old Jackie Scott Pendergrass.
When deputies approached the residence, Pendergrass fired at least one shot, according to the TBI.
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Deputies retreated at this point and tried to communicate with Pendergrass.
The TBI said Pendergrass again fired a short time later and deputies returned fire.
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One of the deputies, identified as Steve Hinkle, was struck and taken to a local hospital where he is in serious condition.
The TBI said Pendergrass barricaded himself inside the home and officials made numerous attempts to communicate with him. Deputies then entered the home after several hours and found Pendergrass dead.
The investigation is active and ongoing.
: Traffic is being stopped on 11W in Sullivan County as officials sea with an active shooter situation pic.twitter.com/6915J3KoFS
— News 5 WCYB (@news5wcyb) February 23, 2019
Officials are arriving on scene with shields at this active shooter situation. I suspect still barricaded in area pic.twitter.com/2OZcghxm3K
— Ellie Romano WCYB (@Ellie_Romano) February 23, 2019
This report will be updated.
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