A man who fired shots at officers during pursuit of a stolen vehicle from Catoosa County, Ga., was killed in downtown Chattanooga after a gun battle with officers. He was identified as 26-year-old Damean Alexander Jones.
Jones was living on North Orchard Knob Avenue when he was arrested in May for violation of an order of protection.
The Tuesday morning drama ended with a host of police officers on MLK Boulevard near the Federal Building.
At approximately 5 a.m., Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to stop the vehicle. The suspect failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated.
During the chase, the suspect began firing a weapon at deputies.
Shortly thereafter, deputies lost visual of the vehicle. Later that morning, Sheriff Austin Garrett located the suspect vehicle in the back of the Motel 6 parking lot on Bonny Oaks Drive.
After locating the vehicle, the suspect fled and eventually crashed in the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Lindsay Street.
At that time, the suspect exited the vehicle and began to exchange gunfire at deputies. Deputies then returned fire and the suspect was killed. One deputy was hit during the shooting and sustained non-life threatening injuries.
Sheriff Garrett said, "While it is early in the investigative phase of this incident, this individual was intent on getting away from authorities and clearly didn’t care who he endangered in the process.
"I am very grateful our deputy only sustained non-life threatening injuries and was not killed while trying to protect our community and take this individual into custody. I am also very thankful no other HCSO deputies, other law enforcement personnel, or citizens were injured during this incident.
"This morning’s events highlight the incredible dangers our personnel face each day while performing their duties. I am honored to serve alongside the brave men and women of the HCSO as they protect and serve our community."
The TBI will carry out the investigation.
A number of streets in the vicinity of the shooting were blocked off.