A tense standoff at a Weigel's convenience store on Westland Drive in Knoxville ended without injuries Thursday night after a man armed with a shotgun surrendered to Knox County deputies following a heavy law enforcement response.
What Happened
According to the Knox County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the Weigel's on Westland Drive on Thursday after reports of a possibly suicidal man armed with a shotgun. The agency said it secured the immediate area and asked the public to avoid the store while crews worked the scene.
Negotiators Bring The Scene To A Peaceful End
Local station WVLT reported that deputies shut down nearby roads while the KCSO SWAT team and the department's Crisis Negotiations Unit worked to de-escalate the incident. WVLT said negotiators persuaded the man to surrender without incident and that AMR transported him to an area hospital for treatment.
Officials Stress There Is No Ongoing Threat
The sheriff's office told the public there was "no known threat to the general public" and reiterated that no injuries had been reported during the response. In its Facebook post, the agency credited its crisis negotiators and SWAT team with bringing the situation to a safe resolution.
Store And Local Context
The Weigel's on Westland Drive is one of the chain's East Tennessee locations and is listed as a 24-hour outlet on the company's store page. The store sits near Pellissippi Parkway and serves commuters and nearby neighborhoods, which made the rapid road closures especially disruptive for evening traffic.
Resources For People In Crisis
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24/7, according to SAMHSA. Local officials and news outlets highlighted the availability of the lifeline after the incident as a reminder of crisis resources.
