A burglary suspect who was shot and killed late Tuesday afternoon by a Catoosa County detective after he pointed a rifle toward officers was 19 years old, authorities said.
He has been identified as Nathan Lee Trew of Apison.
He has had several run-ins with the law in Hamilton County, including charges of assault, theft over $1,000, violating the driver's license law and violating the financial responsibility law.
There was a report one night last week of someone lying in the roadway on London Lane in Apison and daring motorists to hit them. It was not known if that was the same individual who was shot. Deputies said when they arrived on London Lane that the person in the road ran off.
His obituary says he was a former student at East Hamilton High School and an avid reader. He was formerly employed with Trew Electric. It says he had a love for the outdoors and competed nationally in BMX bike racing. He was a member of Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Chattanooga.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Pastor Jeff Anderle officiating. Interment will follow in Plowman Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4–8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Catoosa County Sheriff Phil Summers issued this statement on Wednesday, "Residents of the Meadows Subdivision contacted Catoosa County’s 911 Center to advise that a subject was walking in the subdivision, carrying two duffle bags and a weapon described as a rifle or shotgun. Residents reported they believed the individual was a burglary suspect. Officers from Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office responded and determined a burglary had occurred at 34 Millard Hill, Ringgold. Items taken from the burglary included firearms and other assorted items. Catoosa County officers were joined by Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies and established a perimeter where they began searching a wooded area near the subdivision for the suspect.
"A canine unit from Catoosa County began tracking the perpetrator through the woods in hopes of apprehending the suspect. During the search, deputies with Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office spotted the armed suspect near an abandoned house at the intersection of Ooltewah-Ringgold Road and Swanson Road.
"Officers confronted the suspect in a densely wooded area behind the abandoned house and ordered him to drop the firearm and surrender. The suspect refused lawful commands and refused to be taken into custody. During negotiations the suspect threatened suicide and also stated he was not going to jail. At one point, the suspect raised his shotgun and pointed it at the officers. The officers, in fear of their safety, shot the suspect. EMTs near the scene were summoned to assist officers in rendering aid which was unsuccessful.
"The suspect expired from a single gunshot wound to the chest at the scene. The suspect was later identified as Nathan Lee Trew, age 19, of 10615 London Lane, Apison. The officer involved in the shooting was identified as a detective sergeant employed by Catoosa County for the past 14 years and has been placed on administrative leave awaiting the outcome of the investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation."