A shoplifting suspect is dead after a confrontation Friday night with Knox County deputies outside a West Knox County sports store, according to the Knoxville Police Department.
Amos Frerichs, 32, was shopping inside the Academy Sports when he was approached by investigators with the Knox County Sheriff's Office Shoplifting Task Force. Frerichs then fled the store and into the parking lot where he aggressively resisted arrest by the deputies.
Deputy Evan Rogers and Reserve Officer Geziel DosSantos deployed their tasers, however, Frerichs continued to resist arrest. He was able to get into his vehicle and attempted to run over both deputies knocking them to the ground. One of the deputies who had been run over fired his gun, hitting the vehicle and killing the suspect.
Both deputies were treated for numerous non-life threatening injuries.
Frerichs has a long criminal history that includes multiple charges and arrests in Knox, Blount and Loudon Counties. He had two assault and two outstanding theft warrants in Knox County.
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About 8:25 p.m. deputies with a Knox County Sheriff's Office shoplifting task force saw the man taking items inside, according to DeBusk.The man got in a vehicle.
DeBusk said he ran over one deputy and struck a second deputy with his vehicle as he tried to drive away.
The deputy who had been run over fired his gun, hitting the vehicle and killing the suspect.
Witnesses inside the store said they heard four gunshots outside the store.
An officer alerted dispatch for assistance about 8:30 p.m. and requested an ambulance.
A man told 10News he had just pulled into the Academy Sports parking lot when he saw a person struggling with deputies. The man then jumped into a car. He hit several cars, according to the witness.
The Harbin family told 10News they were inside the store when they heard four shots that were fired outside.
Eddie Sanford of nearby George Williams Road said he was driving in the area when he saw "blue light after blue light" swarming toward Academy Sports. Sanford said he also saw a first responder heading toward the store.
Both deputies are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
At Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones' request, according to DeBusk, KPD is investigating the shooting while the Sheriff's Office conducts an internal investigation, which is routine.