Officer suffers serious head injury while directing game-day traffic for Vols game

The TBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Cookeville.
The TBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Cookeville.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Police say an officer has suffered a serious head injury from an unprovoked attack as he directed game-day traffic near the University of Tennessee.

The Knoxville Police Department says in a statement that a white male came up behind the officer Saturday night and struck him in the head, then immediately fled. Police say the officer was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with injuries that were serious but not life-threatening.

Hundreds of football fans were in the area following Tennessee's game with Missouri and police are looking for anyone who witnessed the attack.

The statement says the suspect is described as being in his 20s, about 6-foot tall and wearing a black hoodie with gray sweat pants.

Upcoming Events