BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is examining a deadly officer-involved shooting after a confrontation between Blount County Sheriff’s deputies and a woman Tuesday night.
According to Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong, deputies were dispatched to a residence on Creason Drive shortly after 8:30 p.m. following reports involving a 38-year-old woman.
Sheriff Berrong said the woman was requesting assistance from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies while also allegedly threatening to kill anyone who responded to her home.
When deputies arrived at the residence, authorities said the woman confronted them while armed with a knife.
According to the sheriff, the woman advanced toward deputies while making threats. Three deputies then fired their weapons, striking the woman.
Following the shooting, deputies immediately rendered aid until emergency medical personnel arrived.
The woman was transported to Blount Memorial Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Authorities have not released the woman’s identity pending additional investigation and notification procedures.
As is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been asked to conduct an independent review of the incident.
The three deputies involved have been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues.
The TBI will gather evidence, conduct interviews and determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting before presenting its findings to the appropriate prosecutorial authorities for review.
No deputies were reported injured during the incident.
Additional details have not yet been released as the investigation remains active.
