38-year-old man suspected of abducting Knox County girl was killed by police

The suspect in a Knox County child abduction who was shot and killed by police officers near the Tennessee-Georgia line is Edward Ahrens, 38, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

An endangered child alert was issued for a missing 11-year-old girl, who was last seen Jan. 30 in the Halls community, a Knox County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said in a news release. The investigation led detectives to Hamilton County, the release said.

Ahrens had the girl and was traveling south on Interstate 75 toward Georgia sometime after 1 a.m. Feb. 2, the TBI release said. Police agencies, including deputies from the Knox County and Catoosa County, Georgia, followed the vehicle as it exited in East Ridge.

They chased the car, and police said Ahrens refused to surrender.

The Knox County Sheriff's Office said three deputies were hit by Ahrens' car, though the TBI issued its own statement saying the man "attempted to hit law enforcement officers with his vehicle." The deputies sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment at the scene, according to the TBI.

At least four officers shot into the vehicle, striking Ahrens, who died. The child is safe, the TBI release said.

The Knox County Sheriff's Office will not name the officers amid the investigation, the release said. They will be placed on leave with pay, which is a standard practice.

Catoosa County Sheriff's Office said Ahrens is a registered sex offender from Catoosa County. The office said in a press release it was working with Knox County as the case developed.

Liz Kellar is a Tennessee Connect reporter. Email liz.kellar@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Man suspected of abducting Tennessee girl was killed by police