The Knoxville Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened early Sunday morning.
At around 5:20 a.m. on Sunday, December 24, 2023, a KPD officer was dispatched to the area of Lakeside Street and Ace Miller Way. It was reported that the occupant of a silver sedan had fired shots at nearby residences, crashed into a Chilhowee Park fence on Lakeside Street, and ran from the car.
An officer quickly arrived on scene and encountered the male subject on Lakeside Street. After being confronted by the officer, the armed subject fired at the officer at least one time, and the officer returned fire. The subject then ran into the woods off of Lakeside.
Neither the officer nor the involved subject were struck in the exchange of gunfire.
After an extensive search, the subject was found unresponsive in the woods. Officers administered Narcan to the subject, who then regained consciousness and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. He has since been released and is being interviewed by Investigations Bureau detectives.
Following consultation with the Knox County District Attorney’s Office, since there were no injuries in the shooting, the investigation will be led by the KPD Investigations Bureau. The KPD Office of Professional Standards has also opened an internal, administrative investigation to ensure that the involved officer acted in accordance with departmental policy and procedures.
The involved officer has been put on routine administrative leave.
The investigation remains ongoing at this time.