According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), two Blount County sheriff’s deputies were shot in the line of duty Tuesday afternoon.
TBI said the deputies were called to a domestic disturbance.
“For reasons still under investigation, shortly after deputies arrived on scene, shots were fired by a male subject, resulting in the deputies returning fire. During the exchange of gunfire, two deputies were struck,” according to a release. “They were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The male subject, identified as Ronald Millsaps (DOB: 7/31/64), barricaded himself inside the residence but was eventually taken into custody. He was not injured during the incident.”
TBI investigates all officer-involved shootings in Tennessee.
It is currently “working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews.”
Millsaps (pictured above) had arrest warrants for one count of Aggravated Domestic Assault, two counts of Attempted Criminal Homicide, six counts of Aggravated Assault, four counts of Reckless Endangerment, and one count of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping.
He is being held on a $2.2 million bond, with more charges stemming from the shootings expected.
“The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters,” the law enforcement agency notes. “That decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBI’s involvement.”
A witness, Millsaps’ next-door neighbor, described a war-like scene as deputies crouched behind their squad cars, which were parked in his driveway, returning fire at the suspect.
Records show that Millsaps was arrested in 2021 for public intoxication and was convicted in absentia.
Blount County Deputy Greg McGowan was shot and killed during a traffic stop by a suspect identified as Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr. in February. Another deputy, Shelby Eggers, was injured during the incident.
DeHart had a lengthy criminal record stemming back to 2002. Between 2002 and 2017, he was charged with 26 different crimes, including three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of domestic violence, and 13 counts of violating a protective order.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on X/Twitter.
Photo “Ronald Millsaps” by Blount County Sherrif’s Office.
