Alleged Gunman In Bristol Shooting Spree Indicted In Ongoing TBI Investigation

  • Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Special agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have obtained indictments for a Bristol man accused of a deadly shooting spree last week.

At the request of 2nd District Attorney General Barry Staubus, TBI agents began investigating the incident on Thursday, shortly after it occurred on Volunteer Parkway in Bristol. Preliminarily, the investigation revealed the subject, identified as Lakeem Keon Scott, 37, was armed with at least two weapons (a semi-automatic-style rifle and a pistol) and a large amount of ammunition at approximately 2:20 a.m. on Thursday when he fired shots through the window of the Days Inn on Volunteer Parkway, striking the clerk. Scott also, at some point, fired at several vehicles driving on Volunteer Parkway before being confronted by officers from the Bristol Police Department. During that exchange, the investigation shows Scott fired at the three responding officers, after which the officers returned fire, striking Scott, who was subsequently transported to Bristol Regional Medical Center.

On Tuesday, the Sullivan County Grand Jury returned indictments for the 37-year-old, charging him with one count of first degree murder, seven counts of attempted first-degree murder and seven counts of employing a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony. When released from Bristol Regional Medical Center, Scott will be booked into the Sullivan County Jail on $500,000 bond.

Those identified as victims in the case include: David Whitman Davis, 45; Kathy Fleenor, 66; Harold Fleener, 73; Deborah Watts, 53; Officer Matthew Cousins, 46; Officer Jonathan Forbes, 28; and Officer Ronald Cowan, 25.

The work to investigate the motive for this incident remains active and ongoing. Preliminarily, the investigation reveals Scott targeted individuals and officers after being troubled by recent incidents involving African-Americans and law enforcement officers in other parts of the country. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Bristol Tennessee Police Department, and Kingsport Police Department continue to offer their support and investigative resources.

The TBI reiterates there is no public safety threat to the Bristol community. The ongoing investigation indicates the alleged gunman acted alone. Anyone with specific information about the incident or the individual believed to be responsible may contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

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