A 54-year-old local man was shot by members of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department late on the evening of May 22.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, Randy Gerald Petty was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center after the incident, in which Petty allegedly met deputies called to his home with a gun.
Ray said members of his department were dispatched to Petty Road to investigate reports of shouting and gunfire in the area just before midnight.
“At 11:53 p.m. dispatch got a call of multiple gunshots and yelling in the area of Adcock Cemetery Road,” the sheriff said. “A deputy and detective responded to the call. The detective spoke with the complainant and a member of Petty's family, and the complainant reported hearing yelling and gunshots coming from the area of Petty Road,” Ray said.
“The detective was informed by a family member of Petty that he had told someone that if law enforcement officers pulled up in his driveway, he would shoot them,” Ray shared.
“The deputy and detective drove to Petty Road and stopped near Petty's house,” the sheriff said. “As they got out of their vehicles and prepared to walk up the road toward his home, Petty came out from behind some trees in a neighbor's yard.
“Petty drew a gun on the officers. The deputy and detective then drew their weapons and fired multiple shots. Petty was wounded in the shooting and transported by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital. He was later taken by ground ambulance to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. The officers involved in the shooting were not hurt,” Ray said.
The sheriff's department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the District Attorney General’s office are investigating the incident.
Ray said he would like to thank the Smithville Police Department, DeKalb EMS, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, District Attorney General Randy York, Assistant Attorney General Greg Strong, the DeKalb County Fire Department, Central Dispatch, and Smithville Animal Control for all of their help and support.
The names of the deputy and detective involved in the shooting have not been disclosed.
Ray said the officers have been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation, in accordance with departmental policy.