The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Staff Reports
Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 11:24 AM
TBI Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting After Jellico Man Points Gun At Dispatcher Early Thursday
According to preliminary reports, Derron Ausmus showed up at the Jellico Police Department and pointed a gun at a dispatcher. Officers said he left the police station and fled into a nearby neighborhood.
Officers learned that Ausmus was possibly at a home on South Myrtle Street. Officials said they believe Ausmus knows or is perhaps related to someone in that home.
When police arrived at the home, two people confirmed he was there. Officers evacuated the two residents and ordered Ausmus to come outside.
The TBI said after he repeatedly refused to come outside, officers deployed tear gas inside the home. Ausmus ran outside and allegedly met officers with a gun. Investigators said two officers fired shots, hitting Ausmus.
"There was something going on with him because this would have never happened," said Susan Cox. "Something's had to trigger him because it's like I said, that's not him at all."
Samantha Rogers said she knew, and even trusted, the suspect involved in Thursday's shooting.
"I mean, I trust him enough to take my one-year-old, my two-year-old to the park across the street by themselves," said Rogers.
He was airlifted to UT Medical Center for treatment. His condition is unknown at this time.
The TBI's Violent Crimes Response Team and Special Agent Forensic Scientists were sent to the home to collect evidence, interview witnesses, and process the scene.
The investigation is active and ongoing.