LENOIR CITY, Tenn. — Update (Nov. 13): The U.S. Marshals Service said a wanted 'armed and dangerous' man is in custody after a shooting that happened last week.
The U.S. Marshals said Monday that its Smoky Mountain Fugitive Task Force worked with the Loudon County Sheriff's Office to take James Burch into custody. According to a release from the Lenoir City Police Department, he was arrested at around 1:10 p.m. on Nov. 13 in the Powell area.
Burch was wanted for shooting his wife last week on Martel Road.
"He then locked himself both inside the residence," Loudon County Sheriff Jimmy Davis said. "A few hours later, after midnight, he came back and found that she was not deceased, and then shot her in the face."
The sheriff said Burch has previously assaulted his wife and has prior felony charges.
"We were familiar with Mr. Burch in August of this year," Davis said. "He has an aggravated domestic assault against the victim. And I'm sure he is out on bond restrictions at the time."
Police said Burch was wanted for three charges, listed below.
- attempted first-degree murder
- aggravated domestic assault
- especially aggravated kidnapping
He was taken to the Loudon County Detention Center and is also facing a charge for violating bond conditions.
The victim is in stable condition at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, according to authorities. She drove about 25 miles with three bullets in her legs and face to get to a hospital.
Original Story (Nov. 10):
The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that happened early Friday morning on Martel Road.
The suspect, identified as James Burch, left the residence after the shooting in a white work van. The van was later found in West Knoxville near Northshore Drive and Westland Drive. Authorities Burch was still at large and was considered armed and dangerous.
Loudon County Sheriff Jimmy Davis said when the detectives met with the victim she was conscious enough to talk.
"Earlier this morning, our 911 Center received a call from Fort Sanders Regional Hospital in Knoxville — a gunshot victim that they had come into their emergency room," Davis said. "From her statements, it's based on a shooting with her husband, Mr. James Burch. It happened earlier last night for several hours they were arguing back and forth."
Authorities said some time a few hours before midnight, Burch shot his wife in the legs.
"Then locked himself both inside the residence," Davis said. "A few hours later, after midnight, he came back and found that she was not deceased, and then shot her in the face."
The sheriff said Burch has previously assaulted his wife and has prior felony charges.
"We were familiar with Mr. Burch in August of this year," Davis said. "He has an aggravated domestic assault against the victim. And I'm sure he is out on bond restrictions at the time."
Police said Burch is wanted for three charges, listed below.
- attempted first-degree murder
- aggravated domestic assault
- especially aggravated kidnapping
The victim is in stable condition at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, according to authorities. She drove about 25 miles with three bullets in her legs and face to get to a hospital.
"Miraculously, she was able to drive herself to the hospital after he left the residence and drove to Fort Sanders Regional Hospital," said the sheriff.
LCSO, along with surrounding law enforcement agencies, were searching for Burch Friday evening. Officials said he is considered armed and dangerous.
Any information on Burch’s whereabouts should be reported to the Loudon County E-911 Center at 865-458-9081.
"He is armed and dangerous, and obviously he knows we are looking for him," Davis said. "He's already shot a family member three times. If you see him or the van, please call 911 wherever you're at. Do not try to approach him. Let us do that. Because our first priority is safety of the public, then ourselves."
This is a developing story.
