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TBI: One dead, four hurt and K-9 shot in Sevier Co. after deputies attempt arrest; victim identified

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said they were looking into the shooting.

SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — UPDATE MONDAY, MAY 15: As they continue to investigate a shooting Friday at a Sevierville home, state agents are providing a few more details about the 63-year-old man who died inside.

David Wright was shot and killed in the Holly Drive home. He was one of several people in the home at the time.

Sevier County deputies and Sevierville police had gone to the home "in an attempt to follow up on an incident involving a felony evading by vehicle," according to the TBI.

"While we don’t have additional information to provide at this stage, I can confirm that Mr. Wright was not the individual officers went to the residence to speak with on Friday evening," a statement Monday from TBI spokeswoman Leslie Earhart reads.

It's not yet clear who shot Wright.

When police approached the home, "there was an exchange of gunfire between an individual within the residence and the officers outside," according to the TBI.

Sevier County Sheriff Michael Hodges said Friday night that a second person was shot in the home. That unnamed person was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Two deputies and a Sevierville officer suffered minor, non-gunshot injuries for which they were treated.

A police K-9 also was shot and taken to an area veterinary hospital for treatment.

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PREVIOUS STORY: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said agents are investigating after a shooting in Sevier County Friday night.

Michael Hodges, the Sevier County Sheriff, said that one person is dead and another hurt after deputies went to make an arrest at a home in New Center. They said they were initially trying to arrest one of the two people who were shot.

The TBI said SCSO deputies went to the home on Holly Drive to follow up on an incident involving felony evading by vehicle. They said when officers approached the home, there was an "exchange of gunfire" between a person in the home and the officers outside. The circumstances leading up to the shooting were still being investigated.

Sevierville Police Department said a K-9 that was also shot had undergone surgery. They said K-9 Hank underwent a second round of surgery Friday night and is now in stable condition. He is currently resting at home with his partner officer.

Yesterday evening, SPD K9 Hank, a Belgian Malinois, was shot while assisting officers attempting to make an arrest. Hank...

Posted by Sevierville Police Department on Saturday, May 13, 2023

TBI said a city officer and two deputies also had minor non-gunshot-related injuries and were transported to area hospitals.

They said David Wright, 63, was the person who died and said an autopsy would be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.

The SCSO said multiple departments were involved in the shooting and said it could not discuss additional information about the shooting while it is being investigated. Hodges described the situation as an "officer-involved shooting," but did not say if deputies shot at anyone.

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