Note: This story was last updated at 12 p.m. Aug. 15.
CLINTON—A man who was reported to be suicidal had reportedly pointed a gun at officers before they fired their guns, fatally striking him, during a standoff with police near the city limits of north Clinton on Tuesday evening, authorities said.
On Wednesday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the man as Jerry Orlando Weaver, 51, of Clinton.
A 911 caller had reported a suicidal man with a firearm in the 600 block of West Broad Street at about 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said. The man was reported to be near the roadway with a gun, according to the TBI, which is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
The Clinton Police Department, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force responded. There were reported to be more than a dozen officers at the site. There was a standoff of about 15 to 20 minutes, said Dave Clark, district attorney general in the Seventh Judicial District in Anderson County.
When they arrived, officers made contact with the man, who was threatening to harm himself, the TBI said.
“In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, officers tried to negotiate with the subject and convince him to drop the weapon,” the TBI said. “At some point during the exchange, the individual reportedly pointed the gun at officers, resulting in the officers firing their service weapons, striking him. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The name of the male subject is currently being withheld pending the notification of relatives. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.”
It’s not clear how many gunshots were fired, who fired them, or what kind of weapon the man might have had.
The TBI is investigating at the request of Clark. The TBI generally investigates when a police officer is involved in a shooting in Tennessee, although that’s not a requirement.
The shooting occurred outside on West Broad Street in Anderson County near the city limits with Clinton.
The medical examiner responded to the shooting, and so did the Clinton Fire Department.
A large area around at least three homes and yards had been taped off with yellow police tape on Tuesday night as the TBI investigated. Besides Clark, Anderson County Sheriff Russell Barker responded, and so did Clinton Police Chief Vaughn Becker.
The officers involved in the shooting have not been identified. The TBI said it does not identify the officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to their respective departments.
After it completes its investigation, the TBI will share its findings with Clark, who will then release a report. That process can take several months.
In the meantime, an autopsy is expected, possibly on Wednesday, Clark said.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation, as TBI agents continue to work to gather any and all relevant interviews and evidence,” the TBI said. “As in any case, TBI’s investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney general throughout the process for his consideration and review.”
Any updates on the investigation will be posted online at TBINewsroom.com, the TBI said.
Read the TBI press release here.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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