GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE — TBI Special Agents are investigating the circumstances surrounding an officer-involved shooting that occurred Sunday evening in Cocke County:
Preliminary information indicates that around 11:15 EST, a National Park Service Ranger observed a vehicle speeding along Highway 441 in Gatlinburg. The Ranger initiated a traffic stop. As he approached the vehicle, the female driver, identified as Chelsey Dunbar (DOB 9/19/88), turned the vehicle around and fled in the opposite direction, running over the Ranger’s foot in the process. The Ranger, as well as officers with the Gatlinburg Police Department, pursued the vehicle onto Highway 321 until they reached Cocke County. At that point, deputies with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office became involved. The pursuit continued onto Highway 32 in Cosby, where Dunbar turned into Smoky Mountain Elementary School. Deputies attempted to block the vehicle, at which point Dunbar rammed the front of a cruiser and drove over a curb in an attempt to flee. She then proceeded to travel a short distance before turning off the roadway and driving into a field. Deputies again tried to block Dunbar’s vehicle. During this attempt, Dunbar struck a deputy who had exited his vehicle. Dunbar’s vehicle continued to move toward the injured deputy, resulting in shots being fired at her.
Dunbar was airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment. The injured Cocke County Deputy was also transported to the hospital. He was treated and has since been released.
The TBI Violent Crime Response Team from Knoxville with Forensic Scientists responded to the scene.
