OOLTEWAH, Tenn. — State agents are investigating after East Tennessee deputies and a man suspected of kidnapping a young child shot at each other Sunday night on Interstate 75 -- ending with the man dying and two deputies suffering wounds in the shootout.
According to Local 3 News in Chattanooga, Hamilton County deputies were involved in a chase that began in Catoosa County, Georgia.
Catoosa County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a Ringgold neighborhood Sunday around 8:30 p.m. for a report of an armed domestic violence incident occurring at a home.
The victim said the suspect, 31-year-old Tyler Roberts, had a knife and a gun. Deputies said he was believed to be threatening the victim, taking away the victim's phone and slashing their tires so they were unable to leave the home or call for help.
When deputies arrived on the scene, the victim was in the yard and Roberts was in a vehicle trying to leave. The victim told deputies an 18-month-old toddler was in the car. Roberts hit a parked car and ran over a bicycle that deflated his passenger front tire, according to the CCSO
Deputies tried to stop Roberts from leaving and pulled out their guns, saying Roberts raised the child in front of him. Deputies commanded him to stop, but he drove through them, hitting one of them in the leg. That deputy was not hurt.
Catoosa County deputies chased Roberts into Tennessee where Hamilton County deputies took the lead in the pursuit. They stopped the suspect near the Ooltewah exit on I-75 by using a spike strip and boxing in the vehicle.
Immediately after stopping the suspect, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said Roberts and several deputies began shooting. Roberts died in the shooting, and two deputies suffered what appeared to be non-life-threatening wounds.
The two deputies were taken to local hospitals. The toddler did not suffer any serious injuries and was taken to the hospital for a medical review.
“While it is early in the investigative phase of this incident, it is apparent this individual was intent on getting away from authorities and clearly didn’t care who he endangered in the process. I am grateful the child is safe, and our deputies only sustained non-life-threatening injuries. This incident highlights the incredible dangers our personnel face each day while performing their duties. I am honored to serve alongside the brave men and women of the HCSO as they protect and serve our community,” said Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett.
Northbound I-75 was closed for hours as authorities investigated the incident. District Attorney General Coty Wamp requested that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation handle the shooting investigation.