Two deputies shot, kidnapping suspect dead after police chase

UPDATES:

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — The kidnapping and fatal shootout incident on Sunday night originated in Ringgold, Georgia. The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office shares what led up to the pursuit.

The sheriff’s office says Tyler Lebron Roberts, the suspect in this case who ultimately died, was the father of the kidnapped child.

Catoosa County deputies first responded to this incident at 8:30 p.m. on Karen Drive in Ringgold. Authorities say that Roberts, his girlfriend and the child lived at this residence.

The suspect’s girlfriend had dialed 911 and reported a domestic violence situation. She told deputies that her boyfriend had a gun and knife, and that they had been arguing most of the day.

The woman told law enforcement that Roberts slashed her tires and kept her phone for most of the day. Once she retrieved her phone, she called for help.

“According to the victim, [Roberts] thought if he allowed [his girlfriend] to leave, she would take the child away from him,” the sheriff’s office explained.

When deputies arrived, they said the woman was in the yard and Roberts was in a car trying to leave. The victim told deputies that her baby was in the car and Roberts was taking him.

At that time, deputies say Roberts hit a parked car and ran over a bicycle, deflating one of his tires, while leaving the scene.

Deputies attempted to stop Roberts with their weapons raised. The sheriff’s office said Roberts then raised the child in front of him and drove through the deputies. They say he hit one deputy’s leg but did not cause any injuries.

Catoosa County deputies pursued Roberts until he reached Tennessee, at which point Tennessee law enforcement took over.

Tyler Roberts / Walker County Sheriff’s Office

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the suspect in this incident as 31-year-old Tyler L. Roberts.

Roberts has been arrested several times in the past. Several of those times, he was charged with felonies.

In the past, Roberts has been charged with making harassing phone calls, aggravated assault, damage to property, domestic assault and battery, according to documents from the Walker County Sheriff’s Office.

They say their investigation remains active and ongoing and will turn over their findings to Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp for review.

SEE EARLIER COVERAGE:

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) – A police chase that shut down I-75 northbound in Ooltewah Sunday evening has left a kidnapping suspect dead and two Hamilton County deputies injured after being shot according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

A vehicle boxed in by Hamilton County deputies as an investigation into a pursuit turned officer involved shooting continued Sunday night.

The Sheriff’s Office says the pursuit began in Catoosa County after they say a call came into the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office about an armed suspect who kidnapped an 18-month-old child.

The pursuit continued northbound on I-75 until HCSO deputies were able to disable the suspect’s vehicle via a spike strip and then boxing the vehicle in.

The Sheriff’s Office says that shots were exchanged immediately after the vehicle was disabled between the suspect and deputies, leading to the suspect’s death.

Two Hamilton County deputies were taken to local hospitals for treatment as their injuries are non-life threatening according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The 18-month-old child involved did not receive serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital as a precaution.

Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett released the following statement.

“While it is early in the investigative phase of this incident, it is apparent this individual was intent on getting away from authorities and clearly didn’t care who he endangered in the process. I am grateful the child is safe, and our deputies only sustained non-life-threatening injuries. This incident highlights the incredible dangers our personnel face each day while performing their duties. I am honored to serve alongside the brave men and women of the HCSO as they protect and serve our community.”

Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp has asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to conduct an investigation into this incident as is protocol for officer-involved shootings.

I-75 Northbound remains closed as of early Monday morning as the investigation continues.

The Sheriff’s Office is not releasing the name of the two injured deputies and have no further details at this time.