Suspect in Tennessee shooting caught in unlikely place
CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. -- A suspect in the shooting of a Tennessee sheriff's deputy and another person Wednesday night was apprehended early Thursday, reports CBS Johnson City, Tennessee affiliate WJHL-TV.
The suspect was caught in a cave about 200 yards behind a home in northeastern Tennessee where he had barricaded himself, authorities said.
Carter County Sheriff Dexter Lunceford told reporters Kelly Pitts of Hickory, N.C., was armed when he was found by deputies in the cave, but was taken into custody without incident.
Lunceford said his office got a call about an intoxicated man waving a gun at about 8:45 p.m. and deputies arrived five minutes later.
He said the suspect fired some 30 to 40 rounds at him and his deputies, apparently hitting his cruiser and at least three of vehicles.
He said deputies returned fire and heard a couple of more rounds coming at them before the scene went quiet.
Deputy Jenna Markland was shot on the left side of her forehead, as well as on her face above her mouth, but it didn't appear that either bullet had penetrated her skull. She was said to be alert at an area hospital.
Lunceford said the second victim, a female, was shot in the hand.
At one point, a WJHL reporter saw a helicopter overhead using an infrared scanner to search the area.