Newbern, Tenn.–At the request of 29th District Attorney General Danny Goodman, TBI Agents are investigating the circumstances leading to an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Dyer County.
Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 5:47 p.m. Wednesday, the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a man threatening an individual with a weapon in the 1200 block of Cobb Road in Newbern.
Upon arrival, deputies made contact with Eric Blankenship, age 43, who was armed with a shotgun. Deputies ordered him to drop the weapon, but he refused to comply with commands. At some point, for reasons still under investigation, the situation escalated resulting in at least one deputy firing, striking Blankenship. He was transported by medical helicopter to an area hospital for treatment. No officers were injured during the incident.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation, as TBI Special Agents and Forensic Scientists work to gather any and all relevant interviews and evidence. As in any case, TBI’s investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General throughout the process for his consideration and review.
The TBI does not identify the officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to their respective agency.