Chattanooga man shot dead by officers after endangering child, officer

Hamilton County Sheriff's office investigators work the scene of a Chattanooga Police officer-involved shooting at Emma Wheeler Homes on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher said that multiple officers shot and killed Javario S. Eagle, 24, after he endangered the lives of a child and officers while armed with a handgun outside of an apartment at 5113 Woodland View Circle.
Hamilton County Sheriff's office investigators work the scene of a Chattanooga Police officer-involved shooting at Emma Wheeler Homes on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher said that multiple officers shot and killed Javario S. Eagle, 24, after he endangered the lives of a child and officers while armed with a handgun outside of an apartment at 5113 Woodland View Circle.

Updated at 8:24 p.m.

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke issued a statement via Twitter about today's incident:

"The loss of any life in our community is tragic. My thoughts are with the family of those impacted by today's incident, and I'm grateful for our officers, whose quick action ensured a young child is safe with family tonight."

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Javario S. Eagle, 24 - the person who multiple officers shot at 5113 Woodland View Circle on Saturday afternoon after he endangered a child and an officer while he was armed with a gun - has died, Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher confirmed.

photo Hamilton County Sheriff's office investigators work the scene of a Chattanooga Police officer-involved shooting at Emma Wheeler Homes on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher said that multiple officers shot and killed Javario S. Eagle, 24, after he endangered the lives of a child and officers while armed with a handgun outside of an apartment at 5113 Woodland View Circle.

Hamilton County 911 received a call at 11:51 a.m. this morning and were responding to "unusual behavior, and unusual statements," Fletcher said.

Upon arrival, authorities learned that a person inside the residence may be endangering a small child and was armed. Police requested mental health officers, SWAT officers and hostage negotiators to the scene, Fletcher said.

Eagle exited the house several times, Fletcher said, armed with a handgun and a knife. Witnesses in the area heard gunshots come from inside the house, but Fletcher said he doesn't believe anybody was struck by this gunfire.

Eagle exited the house for a final time armed with the handgun, knife and in possession of the small child. Officers started to coax to the child to get them away from Eagle. The child left the possession of Eagle and an officer grabbed the child and put himself in harm's way, Fletcher said.

"One officer could leave cover, placing himself in a very dangerous situation to rescue this small child from the armed suspect," Fletcher said.

As the officer was trying to get the child, Eagle moved toward the officer and the child in an aggressive manner, Fletcher said. Multiple officer then fired their weapons, striking Eagle multiple times.

Eagle was transported to Erlanger for treatment, where he later died from his injuries.

Investigators aren't sure if the child was Eagle's. No other information was given about the child other than he or she was a small child.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office will be the lead investigator of the incident, as directed by District Attorney General Neal Pinkston. The investigators on scene are conducting a criminal investigation, Fletcher said.

Fletcher also said there will be a heavier police presence in the community tonight, but the public is not in danger.

Via the Police Department's Twitter, it requested anybody with videos of the incident to contact the police department at 423-698-2525 or contact any officers on scene.

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