• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds

Man armed with AK-47 reportedly threatens suicide, police evacuate homes

Posted at 5:40 pm April 16, 2013
By John Huotari 2 Comments

A man reported to be armed with an AK-47 assault rifle threatened suicide at a Pratt Lane home on Monday night, prompting police to evacuate nearby homes, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department SWAT Team and a negotiator were called in, and Shayne A. Hensel, 25, surrendered more than four hours later, an ORPD press release said.

Hensel was taken into custody at about 4:06 a.m. Tuesday without incident, police said, and he was taken to the Methodist Medical Center emergency room for evaluation. Police don’t expect to file charges.

The press release said the incident began at about 11:25 p.m. Monday after Hensel allegedly threatened to commit suicide in a text to his wife.

“Upon arrival, officers established a perimeter around the residence and attempted contact with the subject,” the release said. “After numerous attempts were made to contact Mr. Hensel with unsuccessful results, the Oak Ridge Police Department SWAT Team was activated and responded to the scene, where they evacuated residents from nearby houses. Further attempts to contact Mr. Hensel via phone were unsuccessful, after which an Oak Ridge Police Department negotiator contacted Mr. Hensel via a public address system.”

It said Hensel came outside his home at approximately 4:06 a.m. Tuesday and was taken into custody. Officers recovered an AK-47 rifle and two loaded magazines, the press release said.

Filed Under: Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: AK-47, Pratt Lane, Shayne A. Hensel, suicide

Comments

  1. Rick Morrow says

    April 17, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    And why does someone need an AK-47 in our neighborhood? Target shooting? Collectors item? Constitutional rights protecting us from the the dangers around us? Glad our grandkids weren’t spending the night. This is only 300 yards from our house.

    Reply
    • Jason Allison says

      April 21, 2013 at 5:03 am

      Sport shooting is just as legitimate as any other sport, gun collecting is just as legitimate as stamp collecting. My collection will never be taken, and I live in your neighborhood. With that being said, this gentleman probably doesn’t need to have these types of firearms.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Anderson County Chamber Headquarters Dedication Set for October 17
  • ORISE announces winners of 2025 Future of Science Awards
  • SL Tennessee Supports New Anderson County Chamber Headquarters
  • ORAU 2025 Pollard Scholarship recipients announced
  • Democratic Women’s Club Hosts State Rep. Sam McKenzie
  • Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival Announces 2025 Storytellers
  • Laser-Engraved Bricks Will Line Walkway of New Chamber Headquarters
  • Democratic Women’s Club to Discuss Climate Change, Energy and Policy
  • Estate Jewelry Show at Karen’s Jewelers Features Celebrity Jewelry
  • Keri Cagle named new ORAU senior vice president and ORISE director

Search Oak Ridge Today

Copyright © 2025 Oak Ridge Today