Weather Alert: Showers & Storms This Weekend
A Local 8 Weather Alert has been issued for today. Because of the threat of rain, thunder and even hail, outdoor activities may be disrupted or inconvenienced. What's going on? An upper-level low will be moving across East Tennessee today, creating a more unstable atmosphere.
UPDATE: KPD officer and suspect in deadly shooting identified
KNOXVILLE (Tenn.) - The Knoxville Police Chief says a man suspected of attacking his mother was shot and killed by a police officer in self-defense.
The suspect who was shot and killed is 47 year-old Paul Edward Capps. KPD says the officer involved is Brian Leatherwood, who has been with the department for 13 years.
At 10:50 on Friday night, police responded to a domestic call on Probus Road in Knoxville. A wheelchair-bound woman told dispatch that her son was assaulting her and threatening to kill her, and other family members.
"The initial responding officer, when he walked in, the suspect immediately attacked him. There was a struggle, and the officer had to use deadly force," said KPD Chief David Rausch.
KPD says Capps was attacking Officer Leatherwood with the officer's flashlight. Officer Leatherwood tried to use his taser, but it failed to stop Capps. That's when KPD says the officer had to shoot in self-defense.
Paul Capps was pronounced dead on the scene. KPD says the officer suffered head and other injuries in the altercation. He was taken by ambulance to UT Medical Center.
Chief Rausch also said the suspect's mother was taken by ambulance to the Safety Building. She suffered undisclosed injuries, and will be interviewed by investigators.
"Whenever we have to use deadly force, it's extremely unfortunate. Someone's lost their life tonight, and our thoughts and prayers go out the family of that person," said Chief Rausch.
Police say Capps had a mental illness, but was not taking medication at the time of the shooting.
Officer Leatherwood was released from UT this morning after being treated for multiple head injuries. KPD has placed the police officer on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in these incidents.
"This is the worst call that you can get. It's unfortunate, but sometimes our officers have to do this when they're trying to protect themselves," said Chief Rausch.
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