TBI Investigates Fatal Shooting of Knox County Fugitive at Pigeon Forge Hotel
Three Sevier County deputies shot and killed a Knox County fugitive at a Pigeon Forge hotel early Wednesday. The TBI is now leading the investigation at the request of a district attorney general.
PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE — Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agents are looking into a fatal officer-involved shooting that took place early Wednesday morning at a hotel in the 4000 block of Parkway in Pigeon Forge, after three Sevier County Sheriff’s Office deputies fired on a man who had an outstanding warrant from Knox County.
Deputies Respond to Hotel After Tip on Wanted Man
Sevier County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the hotel after receiving information that LeRoy Brooks, born November 13, 1985, was at the location. Brooks had an active outstanding warrant out of Knox County at the time of the incident.
According to the TBI, deputies found Brooks inside a hotel room. During the encounter, for reasons still under investigation, three deputies discharged their weapons, striking Brooks. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No deputies sustained injuries.
TBI Called In at Request of District Attorney General
The investigation was launched at the request of 4th Judicial District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn, according to the TBI Newsroom. TBI agents are working to independently reconstruct the sequence of events, which includes gathering physical evidence and conducting interviews with witnesses.
As findings are compiled, the TBI will share them with Attorney General Dunn for his review and consideration. The TBI stated that it serves solely as a fact-finding body in officer-involved shooting cases and does not make determinations about whether a deputy’s use of force was justified. That authority rests with the requesting District Attorney General.
Officers Not Identified; Investigation Ongoing
The TBI stated it does not identify deputies involved in these types of incidents. Questions regarding the identities of the three deputies who fired their weapons have been referred to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, which may answer those inquiries as it sees fit.
No further details about the nature of the Knox County warrant or the circumstances inside the hotel room have been released. Updates on the investigation will be posted as they become available at TBINewsroom.com, according to the agency.
