Man suffered 11 bullet wounds in suicide charge

Friday, July 2, 2010

A medical examiner's report showed 11 gunshot wounds in the body of a 29-year-old man who threatened suicide and charged police officers while pointing a revolver at them.

Andrew Carr died in the driveway of his 807 Graysville Road home sometime after 4:26 a.m. Tuesday. According to police, Mr. Carr had called 911 less than an hour earlier, threatening suicide.

When officers arrived on the scene, he appeared ready to surrender after police negotiations but suddenly charged off his porch, pointing the revolver at three police officers standing 20 to 25 feet away, said Chattanooga police Capt. Tim Carroll, head of major crimes.

The medical report says Mr. Carr was "upset about a foreclosure issue" and, when he charged police, he was "screaming 'suicide by cop.'"

The report also said Mr. Carr had a past history of drug use.

A diagram on the report shows gunshot wounds to the left side of his head, chin, chest, rib cage, lower back, arm and legs.

The 11 gunshot wounds were a combination of entry and exit wounds and grazing injuries. There is no indication at this time exactly how many shots were fired or how many times Mr. Carr was struck by bullets.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Kristin Helm said in an e-mail that the investigation won't be complete until "any and all laboratory reports are returned and there is a final autopsy report."

The medical examiner's staff said the final autopsy could take months since doctors must await toxicology reports and further details.

After Mr. Carr's shooting, three officers - Lt. Edwin McPherson, Officer Nathan Rogers and Officer William Salyers - were placed on seven days paid administrative leave, standard procedure in officer-involved shootings, police said.

Officer Salyers also was involved in the July 18, 2009, shooting death of Alonzo Heyward, whose body had 43 gunshot wounds from six officers.

The TBI still is investigating Mr. Heyward's shooting.

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Article: Report shows 11 gunshot wounds in officer-involved shooting