x
Breaking News
More () »

Authorities: Man who opened fire on Tennessee highway motivated by police shootings

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Authorities in Tennessee say a man who opened fire on a highway in Tennessee Thursday morning targeted police officers and others because he wa...
Days Inn tennessee

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Authorities in Tennessee say a man who opened fire on a highway in Tennessee Thursday morning targeted police officers and others because he was troubled by incidents involving black people and law enforcement officers.

Investigators say the shooter killed one woman and wounded three others, including a police officer. The shooter was injured as well.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says in a news release that initial conversations with the suspect, identified as Lakeem Keon Scott, 37, revealed he was troubled by incidents across the U.S., including the deaths this week of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. The TBI says the suspect is black; the shooting victims are all white.

Scott had at least two guns–an automatic-style rifle and a pistol–and a lot of ammunition.

The rampage, which started at 2:20 a.m. Thursday, started when police say Scott fired shots through a Days Inn window on Volunteer Parkway. The clerk was hit.

After that he began shooting at cars driving on the parkway before he was confronted by officers. During the shootout he fired at three officers and was then shot. Scott is in serious but stable condition.

The victims include Jennifer Rooney, who died after being shot while driving on the parkway; Deborah Watts, who is in serious but stable condition after being shot while working at the Days Inn; David Whitman Davis, who had minor injuries from glass that shattered as a result of the gunfire; and Officer Matthew Cousins, who got a superficial wound to his leg.

Before You Leave, Check This Out