KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) –
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting that left a Kingsport man dead Sunday morning following an encounter with deputies from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.
According to TBI officials, special agents were requested by 2nd Judicial District Attorney General Barry Staubus to investigate the shooting, which occurred at an apartment complex in the 1000 block of Bloomingdale Pike.
Authorities say deputies responded to the complex shortly before 8 a.m. after receiving information that Joshua Delp, 29, who had outstanding felony warrants, was at the location.
When deputies arrived, they located Delp and discovered he was armed with a handgun. During the encounter, the situation escalated, according to investigators.
TBI says four Sullivan County deputies fired their weapons, striking Delp.
Delp, whose date of birth was listed as August 9, 1996, was pronounced dead at the scene.
No deputies were injured during the incident.
As is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings involving law enforcement agencies in Tennessee, TBI has assumed responsibility for independently gathering evidence and determining the sequence of events that led to the shooting.
The investigation will examine physical evidence, witness statements, and any available video recordings before findings are submitted to the district attorney general for review.
At this time, no information has been released regarding the specific felony warrants Delp was facing, how many shots were fired, or what actions immediately preceded the shooting.
No charges, citations, or disciplinary actions involving the deputies have been announced. Any determination regarding potential criminal liability will be made following completion of the TBI investigation.
Additional information is expected to be released as the investigation continues.
