Mt. Juliet police: Officer 'trapped in the car' fatally shoots person during traffic stop

Andy Humbles and Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
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A Mt. Juliet police officer shot a man late Wednesday night during a traffic stop on South Mt. Juliet Road near Central Pike, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The officer pulled over a car, with a woman behind the wheel and 39-year-old Eric Jermaine Allen in the passenger seat, along the roadway shortly after 11 p.m., TBI said Thursday morning. TBI will not release the name of the officer who shot Allen and Mt. Juliet police have yet to identify him.

The police officer began talking with the driver and when backup arrived turned his attention to Allen.

Allen, who ignored the officer's commands to exit the vehicle, hopped from the passenger seat to the driver seat and attempted to drive away, Mt. Juliet Police said.

"The officer leaned into the vehicle in an attempt to stop Allen and gave commands for him to stop, which Allen ignored," TBI said. "He then drove from the initial scene with the officer fully in the vehicle and commanding him to stop."

The officer attempted to use his taser but Allen continued to drive away with the officer "trapped," Mt. Juliet Police said. The officer then shot Allen, according to TBI.

Mt. Juliet police car
Mt. Juliet police car

The officer involved, the backup officer and responding medics attempted life-saving aid on Allen, police said. Allen died a short time after the shooting.

The TBI is investigating at the request of the district attorney general, TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said.

No other injuries were reported.

The Mt. Juliet Police Department expects to release the name officer involved in the shooting next week, Capt. Tyler Chandler said. The department wants time for the officer to meet with mental health specialists in light of the traumatic event, Chandler said. The officer has been placed on administrative leave, Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick said.

The reason for the initial traffic stop wasn't immediately disclosed because it is part of the facts related to the TBI investigation.

There is camera footage from inside the vehicle and police body camera footage that is part of the TBI investigation, Chandler said.

South Mt. Juliet Road in the area was reopened around 4:30 a.m., Thursday.

"This was a very traumatic incident with a loss of life. All are in my prayers, including the family and friends of those involved," Hambrick said in a statement. "To ensure our officer responded properly and per protocol, the TBI is conducting an independent investigation."

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Mt. Juliet police officer fatally shoots person during traffic stop