Police: Officer suffers head injury from unprovoked attack

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Police say an officer has suffered a serious head injury from an unprovoked attack as he directed game-day traffic near the University of Tennessee.

The Knoxville Police Department says in a statement that a white male came up behind the officer Saturday night and struck him in the head, then immediately fled. Police say the officer was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with injuries that were serious but not life-threatening.

KPD is searching for a suspect wanted for attacking an officer w/a hammer or blunt object while the officer was directing traffic on 17th Street. Suspect: White male, 20’s, 5’10” tall, black hoodie & gray sweatpants. Tip line 865-215-7212. More info https://t.co/SrRpkyDnp5 pic.twitter.com/alSzVEyT6i

— Knoxville Police TN (@Knoxville_PD) November 18, 2018

Hundreds of football fans were in the area following Tennessee’s game with Missouri and police are looking for anyone who witnessed the attack.

The statement says the suspect is described as being in his 20s, about 6-foot tall and wearing a black hoodie with gray sweat pants.

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