The Knoxville Police Department has identified the suspect and the officer involved in a deadly shooting late Friday night. The incident happened at a home the suspect shared with his mother in North Knoxville.
A preliminary investigation has determined Paul Edward Capps, 47, was shot by Officer Brian Leatherwood. Capps died as a result of the shooting.
Officer Leatherwood was transported to UT Medical Center. He was treated for multiple head lascerations and released Saturday morning.
According to police, Capps lived with is mother, who is in a wheelchair, at 3804 Probus Road in North Ridge Crossing (formerly Christenberry Heights). Capps had allegedly been assaulting her, and threatening to kill her and other family members.
Capps allegedly started attacking Officer Leatherwood when the officer entered the home. During the attack, Capps got a hold of Officer Leatherwood's flashlight, and continued to hit Officer Leatherwood with it.
Officer Leatherwood attempted to use his Tazer on Capps, but Capps continued hitting Officer Leatherwood. While Capps hit Officer Leatherwood, he shot Capps to stop the attack.
An autopsy on Capps' body is scheduled for late Saturday. According to KPD, they discovered Capps had a mental illness, but was not taking any medication.
Capps' son Bryan Capps says his father was schizophrenic, but not known to be violent.
He says about six years ago police arrested his father, which ultimately landed him in the Lakeshore Mental Health Institute.
He says his father quickly progressed under their care, but slowly worsen after returning home and stopping his medications.
"They came and arrested him and that's why he went to Lakeshore and got help," says Capps. "They should have known he was mentally unstable."
Capps' daughter-in-law, Ashley Capps, told 10News he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
She said Capps has lived with his mother for at least the past 10 years. Ashley Capps is married to one of Capps' sons.
She said her father-in-law was "a quiet but sweet human who loved his sons and grandchildren, even with his mental state. The boys have never seen him violent, ever."
Officer Leatherwood is a 13 year KPD veteran. He is on on paid administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation. That is standard procedure for an officer involved shooting.
Capps' family is holding a vigil for him Saturday night at 9pm in front of the residence on Probus road where the incident occurred.
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A man is dead and a Knoxville Police officer is injured after officials responded to a domestic call that turned violent Friday night.
Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch says officers got the call a little before 11 p.m. at a residence on Probus Rd. for a suspect attacking his mother.
Two KPD officers initially responded to that call. One entered the residence while the other followed a man walking away from the scene.
Authorities say the officer entering the home was attacked by a man as he came inside, and was hit in the head. The officer fired his weapon during the attack, hitting and killing the suspect.
The injured officer was later transported to UT Medical Center with head trauma. He was described as alert and oriented on the way.
The mother who was initially attacked is expected to be okay.
Police say the investigation is ongoing. No names were released as of Friday night.
Chief Rausch says the officer will be placed on administrative paid leave, per normal procedure.