Tag: TBI

Five Men Arrested at Alleged Tennessee Brothel Are Venezuelan, Held on ICE Immigration Detainer

Tom Pappert
ICE Officer

Five men were arrested following the execution of a search warrant on Wednesday at a property in Antioch, Tennessee by state federal law enforcement agencies including the Metro Nashville Police Department, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and the FBI.

The search warrant and arrests were first announced on social media by MNPD on Monday, when the department confirmed the five arrests were part of “an ongoing human trafficking investigation,” and the residence “is a suspected brothel.”

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Tennessee Bill Would Create Online Portal for Election Workers to Verify Voters Are Citizens with Right to Vote

Tom Pappert
Poll Workers

New legislation introduced Tuesday in Tennessee would require the Tennessee Coordinator of Elections, Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS), and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to create new portals that will allow election officials to determine if voter applicants are U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote.

House Bill 69 by Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) requires the Coordinator of Elections and TDOS to “create a secure, electronic portal through which each county administrator of elections may access information to verify, prior to processing an applicant’s application to register to vote, whether the applicant is a non-United States citizen based on records on file.”

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Tren de Aragua Moves Throughout Tennessee Cities in Human Trafficking Operations, TBI Director Warns

Tom Pappert
Bluff City Blues joint operation

After two Tennessee law enforcement agencies that serve Knoxville contradicted the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI), which last week warned the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is present in all major Tennessee cities, the agency pointed The Tennessee Star to a media advisory explaining local law enforcement may not be aware of the gang’s human trafficking operations.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office stated last Saturday that Tren de Aragua members are the subjects of any investigations, and no associates of the gang are in its correctional facilities. Two days later, the Knoxville Police Department Chief Paul Noel said the department is aware of the gang, but is “not aware of any active members of Tren de Aragua in Knoxville.”

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TBI Confirms Venezuelan Gang Tren de Aragua Present All ‘Major Cities’ in Tennessee

Tom Pappert
TBI Director

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) told Governor Bill Lee on Tuesday the expanding Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is now present in all of Tennessee’s “major cities,” and warned the group is engaged in human trafficking, organized retail theft, and drug trafficking nationwide.

On Wednesday, TBI communications director Josh DeVine confirmed to The Tennessee Star the bureau “has increased concerns about the potential for crime connected to Tren de Aragua (TdA), a prominent, violent Venezuelan transnational gang.”

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A Week After Helene, Tennessee Officials Say Some Remain Missing

The Center Square
Hurricane Helene

A week after Hurricane Helene devastated eastern Tennessee, state officials say they are still following leads on 27 missing persons reports.

The latest update from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency says more than 500 calls were fielded by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations missing persons hotline. At least 27 of those are still active leads, but the number does not represent the number of unaccounted individuals, the agency said.

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TBI Busts Six Men During Human Trafficking Investigation

Peter D'Abrosca

As part of an investigation into human trafficking, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) arrested six men who were attempting to have sex with minors, while also rescuing seven underage girls who were suspected to be at risk of being trafficked. 

“Over a two-day period starting August 16th, as part of an undercover operation aimed at addressing human trafficking in the Montgomery County area, officers placed several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex,” TBI said in a release. “The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors.” 

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Man Drowns After Shootout with Tennessee County Deputies

Peter D'Abrosca
Crime Scene

A man drowned after a highway pursuit and gun fight with Chester County and other law enforcement entities, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). 

“Preliminary information indicates the incident originated in Chester County near Henderson when a Chester County Deputy initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle driving recklessly at approximately 9:15 a.m.,” according a TBI release. “The driver refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, the driver briefly stopped and presented a weapon, pointing it at deputies, and causing the deputies to fire their service weapons.”

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Over 220 Rounds Fired During Accused Domestic Abuser’s Shootout with Blount County Deputies, TBI Says

Peter D'Abrosca
Ronald Millsaps

According to the testimony of a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) agent, more than 220 rounds were fired during a June shootout between two Blount County Sheriff’s deputies and a man who was involved in a domestic dispute at his home. 

During a preliminary hearing for Ronald Millsaps, who was charged with aggravated assault, attempted criminal homicide, especially aggravated kidnapping and reckless endangerment after the shootout, a TBI agent revealed a bit about the aftermath of the shootout. 

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TBI Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting of Alabama Fugitive

Peter D'Abrosca
crime scene

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Sunday announced that it is investigating an officer-involved shooting of a wanted Alabama fugitive in Hardin County.

“Preliminary information indicates that deputies encountered an Alabama robbery suspect, later identified as Jonathan Schutte, in a parking lot … in Savannah,” TBI said in a release. “When [Hardin County] deputies approached the vehicle, Schutte reportedly exited his vehicle and fired his weapon at deputies, resulting in the deputies returning fire, hitting and killing 33-year-old Schutte.  No law enforcement officers were hurt in the incident.”

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TBI Marks Three-Year Anniversary of Summer Wells’ Disappearance with Video Update

Peter D'Abrosca
Summer Wells

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) marked the three year anniversary of the disappearance of Summer Wells with a video update on the case. 

“We don’t have the evidence in this case to know for sure whether Summer was abducted or whether or not she walked away from her home and became lost,” said Josh Melton, the assistant director of TBI’s Criminal Investigation Division, in a video posted to X. “It’s really important for us to not focus all our attention on just one of those two.”

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TBI Arrests 11 Convicted Felons for Allegedly Illegally Voting

Peter D'Abrosca
Arrest

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced the arrests of 11 convicted felons for voting in local elections in 2020 and 2022, and said that four deceased felons also voted in those elections. 

“In late January, at the request of 18th Judicial District Attorney General Ray Whitley, TBI agents began investigating reports of 15 convicted felons unlawfully voting in various Sumner County elections between 2020 and 2022,” according to a TBI press release. “Agents determined four of the felons were deceased prior to the investigation. Agents investigated the remaining 11 individuals, determining all had been convicted of at least one felony and registered to vote in Sumner County after their convictions, completing documents that included language regarding not having been convicted of a felony.”

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TBI Teams Up with Knox County Forensic Center to Identify John Doe Killed in Decades Old Hit-and-Run Case

Peter D'Abrosca
TBI Building

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) in conjunction with the Knox County Forensic Center, have identified a man who was killed in a hit-and-run crash more than three decades ago. 

“On May 24, 1993, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle along Cedar Bluff Road in Knoxville,” TBI said in a press release. “The adult male, who had no identification on him, was pronounced deceased at the scene, and his body was sent for an autopsy.”

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Domestic Violence Offender Registry Bill Moving Through Tennessee House

Peter D'Abrosca
Sabi Kumar Talking

A bill that would create a domestic violence offender registry is moving through the Tennessee House of Representatives. 

“This bill creates within the Tennessee bureau of Investigation (TBI) a registry of persons who have been convicted of the offense of domestic assault. The TBI must maintain this registry based upon information supplied to TBI by the court clerks pursuant to this bill, and information available to the TBI from the department of correction and local law enforcement agencies. The TBI must make the registry available for public inquiry on the internet,” according to the summary of HB 2898.

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Nashville Restaurant Where Shooter Killed One, Injured Several on Easter Closed Until Further Notice

Kaitlin Housler
Roasted Store

Roasted, the restaurant in the Salemtown neighborhood of Nashville where a gunman opened fire on Easter Sunday, killing one and injuring multiple others, announced Tuesday it is closed until further notice in the wake of the incident.

“As our team continues to process and heal we will be closed until further notice. We appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers for everyone involved in this tragic incident,” the restaurant wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

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TBI Honors Legendary Special Agent Who Was ‘Addicted to Danger’ After He Passed Away Last Week

Peter D'Abrosca
TBI Special Agent Maxey Gilleland

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Monday honored a special agent who was once described as being “addicted to danger,” after he passed away last week.

Special Agent Maxey Gilleland served the agency and the people of Tennessee for 31 years, until he retired in 2004. At age 19, before joining TBI, he entered the Marine Corps and was sent to fight in the Vietnam War. There, according to TBI, he earned several Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and the Navy Cross.

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Exclusive: Two Individuals Arrested in Connection with ‘Multinational’ Human Trafficking Ring Are Illegal Aliens

Peter D'Abrosca
Yilibeth Rivero De Caldera

Two men arrested in connection with a “multinational criminal organization linked to human trafficking” are illegal aliens, The Tennessee Star has learned. 

In the fall of 2023, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Human Trafficking Unit arrested Yilibeth Rivero De Caldera on nine counts of Trafficking for a Commercial Sex Act. His victims, the agency said, were Central and South American female migrants who were forced into sex slavery to pay off debts owed to Rivero De Caldera in exchange for Rivero De Caldera smuggling them into the United States. 

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Flags at Half Staff for Fallen Blount County Deputy, Suspect Taken into Custody After Manhunt

Peter D'Abrosca
Greg McCowan

Gov. Bill Lee (R) Wednesday announced that the flag at the State Capitol will fly at half staff in honor of a fallen Blount County Sheriff’s Deputy who was killed in the line of duty. 

“Today, flags over the State Capitol will be lowered in remembrance of Deputy Greg McGowan, who laid down his life to protect & serve Tennesseans. Maria & I continue to lift his family & loved ones up in prayer,” Lee said on X, formerly Twitter. 

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Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor Urges TBI to Investigate, Arrest Pro-Palestine Protesters Who Blocked Traffic on I-40 in Memphis

Kaitlin Housler
Brent Taylor

Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) joined Monday’s edition of The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy to discuss a letter he sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) regarding its response to a group of pro-Palestine protesters that blocked traffic in both directions on I-40 in Memphis over the weekend.

On Saturday, a group of pro-Palestine protesters commandeered the Mississippi River Bridge on I-40 in Memphis, shutting down traffic in both directions for nearly two hours and leaving motorists with no way to cross the Mississippi River as the I-55 river bridge was under construction.

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Convicted Georgia Sex Offender Dead After Kidnapping Tennessee Girl, Ramming Police

Peter D'Abrosca
Edward Aherns

A convicted sex offender from Georgia is dead after an encounter with Tennessee authorities during which he rammed several police cars, several sources have confirmed. 

Edward Ahrens was suspected of kidnapping an 11-year-old girl who was the subject of a Tennessee Endangered Child Alert, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The missing child was identified as Aubriauna Mays. 

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Four Nashvillians Arrested in Fentanyl, Meth Trafficking Bust

Peter D'Abrosca
Fentanyl MNPD

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), four of the city’s residents have been arrested following a methamphetamine and fentanyl bust conducted by local, state, and federal authorities.

“A joint investigation by MNPD narcotics detectives, DEA agents and the TBI’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force led to Monday’s seizure of 12 pounds of pressed fentanyl pills (approximately 120,000) and 27 pounds of meth arriving in Nashville from California,” MNPD said in press release.

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TBI Investigating Death of Shelby County Jail Inmate

Peter D'Abrosca
Ramon McGhee

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating the January 12 death of an inmate in the Shelby County Jail. 

“At the request of 30th Judicial District Attorney General Steve Mulroy, we were requested on January 10th to investigate a report that an inmate at the Shelby County Jail, Ramon McGhee (DOB: 02/19/1981) was found unresponsive, and was transported to a local hospital. On Friday, McGhee was declared dead,” TBI Public Information Officer Keli McAlister told The Tennessee Star Wednesday. “Our investigation remains active and ongoing. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of his death. Information regarding the autopsy is not something that would come from our office.”

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Maury County Adult Caregiver Charged with Financial Exploitation of Elderly Patients

Peter D'Abrosca
Woman Suspect

A adult caregiver in Maury County has been arrested for allegedly draining the bank accounts of her home care patients, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). 

“In June 2023, after receiving referrals from Adult Protective Services, TBI agents initiated an investigation into an allegation that a caregiver for several home care patients in Maury County was using the victims’ debit cards to make fraudulent, personal charges on an online gambling site,” according to a TBI release. “The investigation identified Cynthia Dobbins as the caregiver responsible for the theft from the victims’ accounts.”

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Tennessee Nurse Wanted for Negligent Homicide of Patient Arrested in Georgia

Peter D'Abrosca

A Tennessee nurse who was wanted for negligent homicide in the death of a patient has been arrested in Tennessee after nearly nine months on the run, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). 

“After a referral from Adult Protective Services, TBI agents began investigating an allegation that in March 2022, a certified nurse aide who worked in a care facility in Clarksville failed to properly use a lift while attempting to move a patient,” TBI said in a news release. “As a result, that resident, Patricia Oliver, sustained a fall that caused her serious bodily injury, ultimately resulting in her death. The investigation identified Takesha Tucker as the nurse aide responsible for the incident.”

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30 Years Later, TBI’s Most Wanted Prison Escapee Remains at Large

Peter D'Abrosca
Robert Sanders

One of Tennessee’s most wanted fugitives, who escaped from prison in 1990, remains on the lam 30 years after being placed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Most Wanted list.

Robert Houston Sanders, serving an 81-year sentence for kidnapping and armed robbery, escaped from the Tennessee State Prison on April 20, 1990 and disappeared. Sanders has been on TBI’s Most Wanted list since its inception in 1993. He is the only most wanted fugitive in the state with that distinction and is still considered “armed and dangerous.”

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Lewis County Deputy Accused of Money Laundering, Theft After Allegedly Purchasing Police K9 for Personal Use

Peter D'Abrosca
Brandon Grady

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), a Lewis County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD) deputy has been arrested for theft and money laundering related to the purchase of a police K9. 

“On September 13th, at the request of 32nd Judicial District Attorney General Hans Schwendimann, TBI special agents began investigating a complaint of theft against Lewis County Deputy Brandon Grady,” TBI said in a release. 

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TBI Identifies Remains of Another Cold Case Victim

Peter D'Abrosca
Betty Lou Wisley

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) identified the remains in yet another cold case victim, according to a Thursday press release from the organization. 

Betty Lou Wisley, born on December 30, 1935 and originally from Clinton, Missouri, was identified as the Jane Doe whose body was discovered on August 29, 1987 in Roane County. Wisley had been dumped behind a dumpster. 

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Murfreesboro Police Releases Body Cam Footage of Officer Shooting Armed Suspect Charging at Him with Two Knives

Kaitlin Housler

The Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) has 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.

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.

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10 Men Arrested in Tennessee Child Prostitution Sting as State Sees Increase in Human Trafficking of Minors

Tom Pappert

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) revealed that agents with its Human Trafficking Unit worked with local law enforcement in Williamson County and Spring Hill to arrest 10 men who allegedly solicited minors for sex.

In a press release, TBI explains that on November 16 and November 17, undercover officers placed “several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex.” The portrayed themselves to be minor children, and the agency reported that “ten men were charged with patronizing prostitution of a minor” and were booked into the Williamson County Jail.

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TBI Joint Operation with Federal Law Enforcement Results in Locating 13 Child Victims of Human Trafficking

Peter D'Abrosca
blonde girl outside

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) in conjunction with federal and local law enforcement completed an operation in Memphis to rescue 13 children who are suspected victims of human trafficking. 

Participating in the operation, which was called Operation Not for Sale, were the United States Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Memphis Police Department’s Human Trafficking Task Force and Organized Crime Unit, and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services’ Absconder Unit and Human Trafficking Response Team, according to a release. 

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Teacher, Assistant Principal Arrested for Allegedly Paddling Student

Peter D'Abrosca

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), a Jackson County school administrator and teacher have been arrested for their respective roles in allegedly paddling a student. 

“At the request of 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson, on October 10th, TBI special agents joined the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Children’s Services in investigating a complaint of an assault of a student in a Jackson County elementary school,” said a TBI release. 

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TBI Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting in Nashville

Peter D'Abrosca
Crime Scene

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating another officer-involved shooting this week, this time in Nashville. 

“At the request of 20th Judicial District Attorney General Glenn Funk, TBI special agents are investigating the circumstances leading to a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred Monday evening in Davidson County,” TBI said in a press release. 

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Knox County Deputy ‘Seriously Wounded’ in Shootout, TBI Investigating

Peter D'Abrosca

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating after a fatal officer-involved shooting in Knox County Sunday night that left a deputy “seriously wounded.” 

“TBI special agents are investigating the circumstances surrounding a Sunday night fatal officer-involved shooting in Knox County, which also left a deputy seriously wounded,” TBI said on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

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Open Government Expert: Any Tennessee General Assembly Committee Has the Legal Authority to Obtain the Covenant Killer Manifesto

Tennessee Star Staff

Tennessee Coalition for Open Government’s Executive Director Deborah Fisher joined all-star panelist and author Carol Swain in-studio on Thursday’s edition of The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy to discuss the provisions in current law that would make the Covenant Killer Manifesto available for review by Tennessee lawmakers.

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TBI Busts Alleged Human Traffickers in Blount County

Peter D'Abrosca

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) busted seven men in connection with human trafficking, according to the agency’s website. 

“Over a two-day period beginning August 4th, as part of an undercover investigation aimed at addressing human trafficking in East Tennessee, authorities placed several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex cases,” according to TBI. “The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. As a result of the operation, authorities arrested seven men.”

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TBI Officially Identifies, Charges Thwarted Memphis School Shooting Suspect

Peter D'Abrosca

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) on Wednesday officially confirmed that the suspect in the attempted school shooting at Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South (MHA-FYOS) is Joel Bowman and that he has been charged with several crimes stemming from the incident.

“Today, agents secured and served Bowman with warrants, charging him with one count each of Carrying Weapons on School Property, Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Possessing a Firearm During the Commission or Attempt to Commit a Dangerous Felony, and Assault Against a First Responder. At the time of this release, he remained hospitalized in Memphis,” TBI said in a press release. 

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Tennessee Department of Health Engages in Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign

Peter D'Abrosca

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH) will work with local leaders to support the Red Sand Project between July 25 and 31.

‘’Human trafficking is a hidden crime in our state and across the country because victims rarely come forward to receive help or services,’’ said Tennessee Health Commissioner Ralph Alvarado, MD, FACP. ‘’It’s up to all of us to bring an end to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The Red Sand Project reminds us how crucial it is for communities, both urban and rural, to engage in awareness and education activities that support survivors of human trafficking and strengthen our prevention efforts.”

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TBI Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting That Killed Suspect Who Shot at Police

Peter D'Abrosca
Crime Scene

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said it is investigating the shooting of a suspect who fled during a traffic stop and ultimately ended up shooting and striking a police officer.

“Preliminary information indicates that just before midnight, an officer with the Selmer Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle observed speeding along Highway 64,” according to a TBI release. 

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TBI Cracks 37 Year Old Cold Case with New DNA Technology

Peter D'Abrosca

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Wednesday announced that it identified human remains from a cold case murder from 1986.

“On August 24, 1986, skeletal remains were discovered by hunters along an isolated and abandoned trail in the Caney Valley area of Claiborne County. TBI agents began working alongside the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office in investigating the death,” TBI said. “Forensic anthropologists determined that the skeletal remains were those of a white male, likely between the age of 30 and 40. The victim had been shot, and his death was ruled a homicide.”

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TBI Investigating Multiple Hoax School Shooter Calls

Peter D'Abrosca

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced Wednesday that it was investigating a series of hoax phone calls made to schools around the state alerting them to potential school shootings.

“DEVELOPING: TBI is currently working with state and federal partners to determine the source of several hoax calls, placed to local law enforcement agencies, reporting an active shooter at several high schools in the state,” TBI said Wednesday on Twitter.

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