Tazewell, TN – Two law enforcement officers were targeted by gunfire early Thursday morning while responding to a disturbance call in the area of Old Cave Springs Road and Old Highway 25e.
Officer Andrew Harris of the Tazewell Police Department and Deputy Luke Walsh from the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence after a caller reported hearing knocking on their window. Upon arriving at the scene and conducting a perimeter check, the officers came under fire from an unknown shooter positioned across the road in an empty field.
According to Tazewell Police Department officials, the officers reported hearing approximately 5-10 shots fired, with some rounds coming dangerously close to them. The officers quickly sought cover behind a nearby residence and called for backup, ensuring their safety as the shooter remained unidentified.
Despite the close encounter, neither Officer Harris, Deputy Walsh, nor the caller was injured. Authorities have yet to locate the individual responsible for the gunfire.
“This incident highlights the dangerous and unpredictable nature of law enforcement work,” said Tazewell Police Department officials in a statement. “Officers routinely face risks like these while serving and protecting their communities.”
The investigation into the shooting continues, with authorities urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
