HAMBLEN COUNTY, Tenn. — A New Market man is dead and a Hamblen County deputy is injured after an early morning confrontation outside Morristown.
According to a spokesperson for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, deputies responded to a 911 call about a car crash in the 3000-block of Heathcliff Road. The caller advised there was a man there that was acting disorderly and was armed with a gun.
When the first deputy arrived, he saw a vehicle in a field and a man, later identified as 19-year-old Anthony John Michael Zappier, standing nearby. The deputy attempted to speak to Zappier, but he did not respond to commands. They begin to fight, according to TBI spokesperson Leslie Earhart, and at some point, Zappier ran and got into the deputy's patrol car.
Zappier started to drive away and the deputy tried to stop him. The deputy was dragged by the car at least 100 yards through the field until he was able to fire his gun at Zappier to stop him.
Zappier was pronounced dead at the scene. The deputy was injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Zappier's family described him as a “typical teenager” who had a big heart. They told 10News he just got saved last Sunday.
Casey Murphy, Zappier's cousin, said he had just seen Zappier the day before, and will always remember him for his personality.
"He's a great guy," Murphy explained. "He's funny. I mean if you talked to him, you'd know. If you never talked to him, you missed out."
Murphy also mentioned he and his family don't believe the Friday incident defines Zappier's life. They said they are eager to find out more information from the TBI.
"What everybody at home's gonna read about is not Anthony Zappier, it's the furthest thing from Anthony Zappier," Murphy said.
Original story
A suspect died and a Hamblen County deputy was taken to the hospital after a deputy-involved shooting overnight, according to Sheriff Esco Jarnagin.
Jarnagin said it happened along Highway 160 near Mayes Road around 5:30 a.m. Thursday after a call for a suspicious vehicle.
Jarnagin said the deputy was dragged by a car.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said the crime scene is in the 3000-block of Heathcliff Road.
Jarnagin said the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation, which is normal procedure.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.