An officer-involved shooting that took place in the early hours of a chilly Bristol morning is now under the scrutiny of Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) agents. The incident, which unfolded near the post office on 6th Street, began when local police responded to an alarm at approximately 1:00 a.m. last Saturday.
There, they encountered a man armed with an aluminum bat and a tire iron, who refused to comply with officers' requests to drop the items. According to a TBI report, the man, swinging the bat, charged at officers after they initially deployed their TASERs, prompting them to shoot him and use their TASERs for a second time. The officers involved were unharmed, while the man received hospital treatment.
The TBI has taken charge of the ongoing investigation to flesh out the details leading up to the shooting. This involves collecting evidence and carrying out interviews, endeavors aimed at piecing together an objective account of the night's events. As relayed by the TBI website, "Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for his further review and consideration."
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is an independent agency separate from local law enforcement. Upon completion of the investigation, the findings will be submitted to the district attorney general, who will determine whether the officers’ actions were justified. The TBI has not released the names of the officers involved and has stated that inquiries regarding their identities should be directed to the Bristol, Tennessee Police Department.
