Off-Duty THP Trooper Busted After Shooting At Car In Tracy City

An off-duty Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper is facing felony charges after state investigators say he fired his service weapon at another driver following a crash in Grundy County. The trooper, identified in charging documents as Timothy Johnson, allegedly tailed the other vehicle after it left the roadway along the 1400 block of U.S. 41 in Tracy City and then opened fire. No one was hit, and Johnson was taken to the Grundy County jail on a $30,000 bond. Warrants charging him with three counts of aggravated assault were obtained this week.

What investigators say

According to WATE, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation launched its probe at the request of 12th Judicial District Attorney Courtney Lynch and says it developed probable cause to seek three aggravated-assault warrants. Investigators allege Johnson tried to ram the other motorist’s vehicle before firing his weapon, the outlet reports. Officials told the station that no injuries were reported from the gunfire.

What the TBI says

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s preliminary report says the incident began when the other driver lost control and crashed, and that Johnson then allegedly followed and fired his service weapon at the vehicle, according to investigators. Authorities say they secured the warrants on June 9 and forwarded the case file to local prosecutors to decide on charges. The TBI typically oversees most officer-involved use-of-force cases in Tennessee.

Charges, booking, and next steps

Johnson was booked into the Grundy County jail on the aggravated-assault warrants and is being held on a $30,000 bond, according to jail records. As reported by WATE, prosecutors will review the TBI’s findings before deciding whether to pursue formal indictments. Court dates and any preliminary hearing schedule will be available through the Grundy County court clerk’s office.

Why this matters locally

In a small county like Grundy, an officer-involved shooting tends to ripple quickly through the community. Having the TBI, rather than the trooper’s own agency, handle the investigation is intended to give residents more confidence that the case is being reviewed independently. Locals will be keeping a close eye on how prosecutors move forward and whether the highway patrol takes any internal action in response.