Spokeswoman Marian O’Briant said charges were likely on Friday.
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A man is in custody after a Tennessee police officer was fatally shot when he responded to a domestic violence incident Thursday afternoon. The shooting happened around 4:00 p.m.
The officer’s identity is also being withheld pending the notification of next of kin.
Another unit had been dispatched, but the narcotics team was in the area and responded to the call, authorities said.
“When they exited their vehicle, the perpetrator had exited the house, armed with a firearm, and began shooting”, Crisp said.
The officer was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. He returned fire but did not hit the suspect. “When they arrived, shots were fired”, said Blount County Sheriff Jim Berrong. At the time, deputies did not have cause to arrest him.
The two Blount County deputies, whose names have not been released, are now on administrative leave with pay.
Crisp didn’t identify the officer, saying some family hadn’t yet been notified. He had been with the department several years and was recently assigned to the narcotics division. It’s a trying time for the men and women of the Maryville Police Department.
Police believe they have the person responsible in custody, Tony J. Crisp, the Maryville police chief, said at a briefing with reporters. Numerous officers from multiple jurisdictions gathered at UT Medical Center as a show of support.
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“He was a very nice, kind man. I feel for his family, especially his wife and children”, Potter said. A family friend, Kris Spelce, posted a tribute to Moats on Facebook.
