The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has identified a man killed early Thursday by a Bradley County sheriff's deputy during a call to a home on Blue Springs Road regarding a suicidal person, according to a news release from the state agency.
The fatally shot man was identified as Christian Robert Jensen, 54, who, according to the TBI, was reportedly threatening to pull a gun on deputies who responded to Jensen's home.
"Preliminary information indicates that as deputies attempted to negotiate with him, for reasons still under investigation, one of the deputies fired at Jensen, striking and killing him," TBI spokesperson Susan Niland said in the news release. "He was pronounced deceased at the scene and was transported for an autopsy. No deputies were injured."
Niland said TBI agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Findings from the investigation will be turned over to District Attorney Stephen Crump for his review, she said.
The TBI did not identify the deputy who fired the shot or any other officers at the scene, and Bradley County authorities said no further information would be immediately released, according to a news release issued Thursday by Paul Allen, the spokesperson for the sheriff's office.
Deputies made contact with Jensen just after 1 a.m. Thursday, Allen said in the release.
"The deputies were confronted with a threat on scene. The male was then shot by law enforcement," he said.
Deputies performed life-saving measures but Jensen later died, Allen said.
The TBI was called in by Crump's office to perform an independent investigation of the shooting after being notified of the incident by Bradley County Sheriff Steve Lawson, Allen said.
"Per standard protocol, the officers involved will be on administrative leave," Allen said.
The investigation is ongoing and sheriff's office officials deferred further inquiries on the case to the TBI.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton.