TBI identifies man killed in officer-involved shooting

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:55 a.m.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has identified the man who died in a Monday night officer-involved shooting in a courthouse parking lot on Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge.

The man has been identified as Isaiah D. Ramirez, 36.

Ramirez was reported to have struck an Oak Ridge police officer with a pickup truck before at least one officer fired shots at the vehicle, striking Ramirez, the TBI said Monday night.

The shooting near Anderson County General Sessions Court and other county offices followed a police pursuit that started on Cumberland View Drive along Emory Valley Road in east Oak Ridge at about 6:30 p.m. Monday, authorities said. The Oak Ridge Police Department tried to make a traffic stop, but Ramirez, who was pulling a utility trailer behind his pickup truck, didn’t stop, according to TBI spokesperson Leslie Earhart. Ramirez reportedly had outstanding warrants. Residents of Emory Valley reported a police pursuit involving at least four police cars.

 

The vehicle drove a few miles west on Emory Valley Road to Anderson County General Sessions Court. There was a confrontation there when officers tried again to make a traffic stop, this time in the courthouse parking lot, and Ramirez struck one of the officers with his vehicle, Earhart said. At least one officer then fired shots at the vehicle, striking Ramirez, she said.

Ramirez had appeared to have intended to strike the officer, driving toward the officer, Earhart said Monday night. Ramirez was shot while in his vehicle and pronounced dead at a local hospital, Earhart said.

It’s not clear how many times Ramirez was shot or where. His body will be sent for an autopsy, Earhart said.

She said it appears that the officer, who has not been identified yet, was outside his or her police vehicle when struck by Ramirez.

The officer was also taken to the hospital and is expected to be okay, Earhart said. He has since been released, the TBI said in a press release later Monday night.

The TBI is investigating the officer-involved shooting with special agents and forensic scientists at the request of Seventh Judicial District Attorney General Dave Clark in Anderson County.

The courthouse parking lot was blocked off with yellow police/fire tape on Monday evening and Monday night, and members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, Anderson County EMS, and Clark, the DA, were there. In addition to the TBI, the Tennessee Highway Patrol also responded, and the Knox County medical examiner was reported to have responded as well. There were reports that a Lifestar medical helicopter had been called earlier also.

“At this time, the investigation is active and ongoing,” the TBI said in the press release Monday night. “TBI agents and forensic scientists continue to gather relevant evidence and interviews in connection to this incident. As in any case, our investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney general throughout the process for his consideration and review.”

More information will be added as it becomes available.

See previous story here.

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