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Police: Tazewell man fired gun at the officer responding to his 911 call

"Officer Pabon displayed great restraint and bravery while being faced with a situation that could have ended in his death or the death of the suspect."

A Claiborne County man is behind bars after firing a gun at a police officer, according to an arrest report from the Tazewell Police Department.

Kenneth Ray Porter, 71, is charged with attempted second degree murder and aggravated domestic assault.

Kenneth Porter

According to the report, Porter pulled a gun on his grandson Thursday night at the home they shared on Sulfridge Lane in Tazewell, and threatened to shoot him. The grandson left the house to "avoid conflict," he told officers.

After he left, Porter called 911 to request a police officer come out about an "unwanted subject" at his home.

Patrolmen Jason Pabon pulled into the driveway just before 11:30 p.m., in his marked patrol car and with his spotlight on.

The report says Porter walked out on the porch and fired a gun at Pabon, who says he "saw the flash of the shot and began to try and seek cover."

Pabon yelled that he was the police and ordered Porter to drop the gun, and Porter finally lowered the weapon, officials said.

Credit: Custom
Tazewell Patrolman Jason Pabon

Pabon was not hit and did not fire a shot back at Porter.

The investigating officer later found a revolver on the porch and a loaded rifle on the couch beside the front door. There was also extra ammunition and a suitcase beside the front door.

An ambulance was called to transport Porter to the hospital after he complained of chest pains and dizziness. He was treated and then taken into custody. He is being held on a $1 million dollar bond and is set to appear in court later this month.

Pabon has been in law enforcement since 2013 and with the TPD since last July.

"Pabon is well known and liked in the community. Officer Pabon displayed great restraint and bravery while being faced with a situation that could have ended in his death or the death of the suspect," said Lt. Jeremy D. Myers, criminal investigator for the TPD.

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