Fugitive dies after being shot in attempt to apprehend him in Soddy-Daisy

James Michael Farris

James Michael Farris, the suspect in a Wednesday fatal shooting and the subject of a subsequent two-day manhunt, died at a local hospital Friday after he was shot by a deputy in an attempt to apprehend him, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Austin Garrett told reporters that law enforcement agencies returned to an area near the intersection of Sequoyah Road and Green Pond Road in Soddy-Daisy after receiving a tip from a community member regarding Farris' whereabouts.

"When the fugitive detectives got here, they located the suspect," Garrett said. "He was on the run."

They chased Farris into a wooded area behind the 9700 block of Berry Meadow Way, where Farris allegedly pointed a firearm at the officers, according to an initial report from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

"They had a total of three sightings of the suspect. He had a weapon in his hand the first time they saw him and the third time they saw him. The third time they saw him, the deputy engaged the suspect. During the engagement with the suspect, the deputy fired and the suspect was injured."

Farris was sent to a local hospital, where he later died, the TBI said.

Garrett said that no law enforcement officers were injured in the encounter.

"We can't do our job without the community helping us and giving us information. We're thankful that person is off the street and no longer a danger to the public," Garrett said.

Special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are probing the officer-involved shooting at the request of 11th District Attorney General Neal Pinkston, according to a Friday evening tweet from the TBI.

"TBI agents continue to work independently to determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews," the TBI reported on its website.

Farris, 27, was wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of Frederick Williams Jr. that happened Wednesday evening at a home on the 7300 block of Shady Vail Lane. Warrants were issued for his arrest for criminal homicide, felony reckless endangerment, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Colin M. Stewart can be reached at cstewart@timesfreepress.com or at (423) 757-6366.