Editor's Note: This is a news release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation about the incident reported just previously by Sgt. Chad Payne of the Dade County Sheriff's Office.
At the request of 12th District Attorney General J. Michael Taylor, TBI Agents continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding an officer-involved shooting Tuesday night in Marion County, involving deputies from the Dade County (GA) Sheriff’s Department.
Preliminary information indicates that earlier in the evening, deputies in Dade County attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Grandall Massengale (2-9-95, of Bell Buckle, Tenn.). Massengale reportedly refused to stop and a pursuit ensued, which continued into neighboring Marion County, Tennessee, where the driver crashed the vehicle in a wooded area on Highway 134.
While Dade County deputies attempted to take Massengale into custody, he reportedly continued to attempt to elude officers and drove in their direction. Deputies subsequently fired upon the vehicle, striking Massengale, who was struck, injured, and hospitalized. A female passenger in the vehicle was unharmed. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.
TBI Agents continue to gather relevant evidence and information, and, in turn, will share investigative findings with the District Attorney General throughout the process for his consideration and review.
As is our policy, the TBI does not identify the officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to their respective departments.
Any updates on this investigation will be posted online at TBINewsroom.com.
