KY officer investigated after following motorcyclist into Tennessee, firing shots
.jpg "A police officer from Williamsburg reportedly fired shots after unsuccessfully attempting to stop a motorcyclist who the officer had followed into Tennessee.")
A police officer from Kentucky is accused of pursuing a speeding motorcyclist into Tennessee and firing shots as the driver rode away, authorities said.
A district attorney general in Tennessee will determine whether the officer’s actions were justified.
The incident began around 1 p.m. Sunday when an officer with the Williamsburg Police Department tried to stop the motorcyclist for speeding on Interstate 75, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a news release.
The driver did not stop and continued southbound into Campbell County, Tenn.
“The officer reportedly deactivated emergency equipment but continued to follow the motorcycle until the driver made an abrupt stop near mile marker 158,” the TBI said. “At that point, the officer pulled in behind the driver. According to reports from the scene, the motorcycle driver backed into the officer’s vehicle and then began driving north in the southbound lane of traffic. For reasons still under investigation, the Williamsburg officer fired shots.”
The motorcyclist was not hit by the gunfire.
Law enforcement officers in Tennessee were advised to be on the lookout for the motorcycle, which later crashed in Anderson County, Tenn., south of where the shots were fired. The driver was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said it is investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting “at the request of 8th Judicial District Attorney General Jared Effler,” according to the TBI.
“TBI agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews,” the release stated. “Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for his further review and consideration. The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBI’s involvement.”
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the motorcycle crash.
This story was originally published May 26, 2025 at 3:14 PM.
