By Bruce Schreiner
Associated Press
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A shoplifting suspect was fatally shot by a Tennessee sheriff’s deputy in a parking lot after hitting two lawmen with his car while trying to flee, authorities said.
The two deputies from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office were treated for nonlife threatening injuries, said Knoxville police spokesman Darrell DeBusk.
The deputies, part of a shoplifting task force, spotted the suspect inside a sporting goods store Friday night in West Knoxville, DeBusk said. The deputies pursued him into the parking lot, where the suspect ignored commands to stop, he said.
The suspect climbed into a vehicle and ran over one deputy and struck the other deputy with his vehicle while trying to flee, he said.
“One deputy discharged his weapon in defense of his life and the life of his partner,” DeBusk said in a release.
After being shot, the suspect crashed into parked vehicles and died at the scene.
Police have not identified the suspect or deputies.
Knoxville police are investigating the shooting at the request of the Knox County sheriff, DeBusk said. The sheriff’s office is conducting an internal investigation, he said.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press