Robert Owenby
Shooting suspect Robert Eric Ownbey, 45, wanted in Tuesday's shooting involving two Walker County Sheriff's deputies, has been located and is in custody.
Ownbey was found at 1310 E. Sherry Dr., Rossville, at 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday, where he surrendered without incident. He was found to be suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg, according to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.
The Walker County Sheriff's Office said Owenby emptied his gun at two deputies after a traffic stop off Wilson Road in Rossville on Tuesday, but they were not hurt.
The deputies returned fire, and it was believed that the shooter was hit twice.
A warrant was issued for Owenby for two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
The Sheriff's Office first said the shooter was Robert Dean Root, and a passenger who got out prior to the shooting was John Ambers Ross III. Sheriff Steve Wilson on Tuesday night said that did not turn out to be the case.
He said that was based on information given by a woman who said her car was taken by the pair. Sheriff Wilson said detectives are now re-interviewing the woman.
Root has a lengthy record in both Catoosa and Walker counties. He was previously charged with drug possession, obstruction of an officer, eluding police, and possession of a firearm by convicted felon. He was sentenced two months ago to five years in state prison. It was believed that he recently escaped from Lee State Prison in south Georgia. However, it was found that he is still in the Lee prison.
Sheriff Wilson said it is now not believed that Ross was the passenger, who jumped out on W. Sherry Drive. The shooting happened after the car went into a private drive off Raydine Lane. Ross is in jail, but on probation violation charges.
Sheriff Wilson said the deputy was trying to stop the driver to give a warning about tinted windows and a non-working turn signal.
Owenby ran off into some nearby woods. Officers followed a blood trail and used dogs, but did not locate anyone.