A suspect is dead and a city police officer injured following an exchange of gunfire as officers attempted to arrest the man on outstanding warrants Friday afternoon.
Police have not released the names of the officer or the suspect at this time.
Elizabethton Police Department Capt. Joy Shoun said the incident happened around 4:30 p.m. on Friday in the Southside community of the city.
“The officer was looking for a subject we had received information was in the area,” Shoun said. “This subject was wanted on out-of-state and federal warrants.”
Shoun said the officer located the suspect in a wooded area and gunfire was exchanged.
“The officer has been wounded and is in stable condition,” Shoun said, adding the officer was alert and was able to respond. Shoun did not describe the nature or extent of the officer’s injuries, but did say he was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation into the incident, Shoun said.
In addition to the Elizabethton Police Department and TBI, officers from the Carter County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene along with U.S. Marshals and emergency medical personnel from the Carter County Rescue Squad. In addition to the deputies who responded to the scene, additional officers with the Sheriff’s Office worked to answer calls for police in the city limits to help the Elizabethton Police Department.
“We are just thankful for everyone help,” Shoun said.