Suspect killed, officer wounded during hostage rescue

COVINGTON, Tenn. (AP) — A suspect was killed and an officer wounded Friday when police made multiple attempts to rescue a woman being held hostage at a Tennessee business, authorities said.

The suspect was shot by a sniper after exchanging fire with officers, Tipton County Sheriff Shannon Beasley told news outlets. He had held a woman hostage at Dean’s Tax Service in Covington overnight before officers decided to go inside, news outlets reported.

The officer and the woman were taken to a hospital to be treated. Both were expected to recover.

Covington police were originally called to the scene around 5 p.m. Thursday for a disturbance, but Interim Police Chief Jack Howell said the situation escalated and multiple law enforcement agencies were called to the scene.

Officers arrived to find a gunman with three hostages, including a young child, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. Covington police were able to get the child and the child’s mother to safety.

The Tipton County Sheriff’s SWAT Team assisted with negotiations, but the suspect cut communications with officers early Friday, Beasley said.

According to reports from the scene, the SWAT team entered the building around 5 a.m. in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the hostage, the bureau said. They were met with gunfire and a deputy was wounded, the statement said.

Negotiations resumed about two hours later and for reasons still under investigation, a Tipton County SWAT member fired and hit the individual, the bureau said. More officers then entered the building and according to preliminary reports the man reached for a firearm, resulting in multiple officers firing at him, the statement said. The hostage was rescued and taken to a hospital.

Authorities have not released the man’s identity.