The Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) released the body cam footage of an officer who shot a man armed with two knives charging at him inside Jason’s Deli at The Oaks Shopping Center on N. Thompson Lane.
MPD has identified the officer who fired his service weapon striking a 44-year-old robbery suspect inside Jason’s Deli yesterday. The man charged at him w/ two large knives ignoring all commands to stop. The man later died. Ofc. Adam Claiborne, a 5-year veteran, remains on leave. pic.twitter.com/WOgKqmZAmB
— Murfreesboro TN Police Department (@MboroPoliceDept) November 23, 2023
On Wednesday, Officer Adam Claiborne, a 5-year veteran of MPD, responded to Jason’s Deli regarding an individual who had just attempted to rob the driver of an armored van at an ATM in the same shopping plaza.
The suspect, according to MPD, was then seen entering the deli, and as Claiborne entered the business, he established contact with the man, who then began charging towards him with two large knives.
“Hey! Drop it! Drop it now,” Claiborne was heard yelling at the non-compliant suspect as he charged the officer, as shown in the body cam footage.
Claiborne then discharged his service weapon, striking the man, who later died from his injuries at the hospital.
Body worn camera video shows the man charging a MPD officer with two large knives in his hands. The officer discharged his service weapon, striking the man. The 44-year-old man later died from his injuries at the hospital. The TBI is conducting an independent investigation. pic.twitter.com/Q2WBsjRpna
— Murfreesboro TN Police Department (@MboroPoliceDept) November 23, 2023
Six workers were reportedly inside Jason’s Deli as the male suspect entered and also attempted to rob the business, but all got out safely.
MPD later identified the man as 44-year-old Murfreesboro resident Steven James Murphy.
“It’s a sad day any time any resident in our city loses their life – our hearts go out to his family who will be grieving. Our hearts also go out to the officer who was involved in this because his family will have to deal with this as well,” MPD spokesperson Larry Flowers said during a news briefing on Wednesday.
Claiborne remains on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which is being handled by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). MPD’s Office of Professional Responsibility is also conducting an internal investigation of the incident.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
