An armed suspect was injured and rushed to a local hospital Saturday after a domestic disturbance in Smyrna escalated into a confrontation with police, authorities said. Officers contained the scene and reported that no one else was hurt.
According to WSMV, the Smyrna Police Department said officers were called to a domestic disturbance involving “an individual known to have a history of making threats toward law enforcement officers and who is frequently armed.”
Police said that during the encounter, “the suspect advanced toward an officer in a threatening manner, at which point a less-lethal round was deployed to mitigate the immediate threat.” The person was then taken to a local hospital for treatment, and officers say the situation never posed a broader danger to the public.
Less Lethal, Not Harmless
Less-lethal munitions, such as bean-bag or sponge rounds, are designed to stop a threat without resorting to deadly force. They can still pack a serious punch, though, depending on where they hit and how close the shooter is.
The National Institute of Justice tracks data on the use and effects of impact munitions. A systematic review in BMJ Open has found that kinetic impact projectiles have been linked to disabling injuries in some cases.
Second Spring Use-of-Force Case for Smyrna Police
The April 11 confrontation marks the latest high-profile use-of-force response by Smyrna officers this spring. On March 12, officers shot a suspect after responding to a road-rage call, WSMV reported. In both incidents, Smyrna police said scenes were secured and that no officers were injured.
In the Saturday case, Smyrna Police said there was no ongoing risk to residents and that officers moved quickly to contain the area. Officials did not immediately release the suspect’s name or say whether any charges are expected.
