Suspect dead after police pursuit ends at Tennessee River
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UPDATE (8/23/24): TBI says the subject who died as a result of this incident has been identified as 32-year-old Zachary Johnson.
UPDATE (8/22/24): Investigation continues following cross-county pursuit that left one dead
SEE ALSO: PHOTOS: Suspect drives into river following police pursuit, sources say
TBI Agents Investigating Chester County Officer-Involved Shooting
At the request of 26th Judicial District Attorney General Jody Pickens, TBI Special Agents continue to investigate the circumstances of a Wednesday morning shooting involving deputies of the Chester County Sheriff’s Office.
Preliminary information indicates the incident originated in Chester County near Henderson when a Chester County Deputy initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle driving recklessly at approximately 9:15 a.m. The driver refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, the driver briefly stopped and presented a weapon, pointing it at deputies. This led to the deputies firing their service weapons. The driver fled the scene and during the course of the pursuit, he fired from the vehicle in the direction of law enforcement. Multiple agencies joined the pursuit, which entered McNairy County, then Hardin County. At approximately 10:15 a.m., the subject drove down a boat ramp near Saltillo, into the Tennessee River.
When multiple law enforcement officers entered the water to apprehend the subject, he presented the weapon again and did not comply with their commands, then submerged under the water and did not resurface until his body was recovered hours later. The body was transported to Nashville for an autopsy.
No law enforcement officers were injured.
TBI agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney general for his further review and consideration. The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether an officer’s actions were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney general requesting TBI’s involvement.
The TBI does not identify the officers involved in these incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to the respective department to answer as it sees fit.
