TBI Special Agents are investigating the circumstances that led to an officer-involved shooting that occurred Thursday morning in Jellico, Tennessee.
Preliminary information indicates that just after 5:30 AM, a male subject showed up at the Jellico Police Department and pointed a gun at a dispatcher. The subject, identified as Derron Ausmus, then left the police department and fled into a nearby neighborhood. Officers developed information that Ausmus was possibly at a home on S. Myrtle Street. Upon the arrival of officers, two residents inside the home confirmed that the subject was there. Officers evacuated the two residents and ordered Ausmus to come outside.
After he repeatedly refused to comply with commands, officers deployed tear gas inside the home. A short time later, Ausmus ran outside and confronted officers with a gun. Two officers fired shots, striking him. He was airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. The TBI’s Violent Crimes Response Team of Special Agent Forensic Scientists responded, to collect evidence and process the scene. TBI Special Agents continue to interview witnesses relevant to the investigation.
