DA Coty Wamp finds in favor of officers who shot suspect in East Ridge
Edward Ahrens was a convicted sex offender suspected of kidnapping Knoxville girl he met online
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – District Attorney General Coty Wamp has concluded her investigation into a police shooting in East Ridge that involved officers from Knox and Catoosa Counties.
She concludes that the three Knox County deputies and a Catoosa County deputy were justified in shooting and killing Edward Ahrens in a child abduction case from February.
It began as an endangered child case from Knoxville.
Investigators identified Ahrens as having the child and located his vehicle in East Ridge.
Not included in the report, Ahrens was a convicted sex offender in Georgia who investigators believe kidnapped the 11 year old girl who he met online.
The District Attorney’s report says that the officers found him and ordered him to surrender.
When he refused, all four opened fire on him.
Knox County officials say he injured several officers with his vehicle.
Ahrens died from his injuries later that night.
The child was recovered from his vehicle.
The TBI conducted an investigation into the shooting circumstances and gave their findings to the D-A’s office.
She concluded that the officers fired as a result of the suspect’s actions and has closed the case.
