Weakley County, Tenn.—A Hickman County, Kentucky, man is dead following a pursuit by officers which began in Hickman County and ended in Weakley County earlier this afternoon.
The man, identified as Salvador Byassee, age 34, of Clinton, Ky., was shot and killed by a Hickman County deputy, according to the TBI
At the request of 27th District Attorney General Tommy Thomas, TBI Agents are investigating the circumstances surrounding the officer-involved shooting.
The incident occurred near the 300 block of State Line Road in Weakly County where preliminary information indicates an officer from the Hickman County (Kentucky) Sheriff’s Department was in pursuit.
At the conclusion of the vehicle pursuit, Byassee fled on foot and the officer then encountered the man with a knife which resulted in the officer discharging the service weapon, striking and ultimately killing the individual.
No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.
Prior to this incident, at approximately 1:15am CST, Byassee did not yield to a sobriety check point being conducted by the Kentucky State Police on Highway 1218 in Hickman County, KY which resulted in an initial pursuit by the Kentucky State Police and the Hickman County (KY) Sheriff’s Department.
Byassee temporarily evaded law enforcement during this initial pursuit after wrecking his car and fleeing on foot in Weakly County, TN. Byassee then subsequently stole a car in Weakly County and was then again encountered by the Hickman County, KY Sheriff’s Department while they were still in the area. This secondary pursuit resulted in the officer-involved shooting.
TBI Special Agents will gather any and all relevant interviews and evidence as part of this ongoing investigation. Throughout the process, Agents will submit investigative findings to the District Attorney General for his review and consideration. As a reminder: The TBI only acts as ‘fact-finders’ in its investigation. The determination as to whether the law enforcement officers’ actions were justified rests solely with him. Additionally, the TBI does not identify officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to their respective department.
Updates on this investigation will be posted online at TBINewsroom.com as they are available.