The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking into an officer-involved shooting Wednesday of a suspect who allegedly rammed several police cars in north Nashville.
The TBI on Wednesday tweeted, “HAPPENING NOW: TBI Agents are investigating a reported officer-involved shooting in Nashville, at a location in the 2200 block of Brick Church Pike.”
HAPPENING NOW: TBI Agents are investigating a reported officer-involved shooting in Nashville, at a location in the 2200 block of Brick Church Pike.
Follow this thread for details as we’re able to pass them along. pic.twitter.com/TmfUITThor
— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) January 27, 2021
The TBI said in a statement that 20th District Attorney General Glenn Funk and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department requested the TBI’s involvement, per a memorandum of understanding. TBI investigations are common in instances of police-involved shootings.
The shooting took place just before 3 p.m. in the parking lot of a gas station on Brick Church Pike, the TBI said.
Reportedly, MNPD officers tracked an aggravated robbery suspect, identified as Lamon D. Witherspoon (DOB 11-17-90), to that location and boxed in the stolen vehicle he was driving in an effort to arrest him. During the exchange, Witherspoon reportedly ignored multiple verbal commands to exit the car, rammed several police vehicles, and, at one point, displayed a gun. The situation escalated further, resulting in at least one officer firing several times upon Witherspoon, striking and injuring him. Medics rushed Witherspoon to a Nashville hospital for treatment. No law enforcement officers were hurt in the incident.
The Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed Officer Wesley McClelland was involved in the shooting in the Exxon market parking lot near the intersection of Trinity Lane and Brick Church Pike, WSMV reported. No officers were hurt.
Police said they believed the suspect was connected to a robbery at Nashville Pizza & Pasta on Dickerson Pike on Sunday night, WSMV said.
The TBI said it acts only as a fact-finder and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified. That decision rests solely with the district attorney general.
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
