Police officer from Bartlett fatally shoot shop theft of knives outside of Lowe's, which are armed with a knife

Bartlett, Tenn. (WMC) – Officials of the Bartlett Police Department shot a man on Thursday who was armed with a knife outside the Lowe's in the Wolfchase area.

BPD says that the man tried at 5:45 p.m. to stab an officer in front of the house improvement business.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), which was called to test the deadly shootout, states that the officials in the area had a report on shop theft and that the man with the knife was one of at least two accused thieves they were looking for.

TBI adds that the officials when he met the suspect and approached him, drew his knife when the officials tried to stop him.

The officials answered by shooting the armed attacker several times.

TBI says the man has refused to adhere to the several verbal commands of the officers, to stop and drop his weapon.

A witness told Imani Williams from Action News 5 that they heard how the police asks the man to run down and put down the knife that was in his hands.

The witness also said they heard of 8-10 shots.

“And so he waved the machete around her, so they felt threatened enough to shoot him,” said Cole Russell. “… very fearful and scared to go places now, even for food or something.”

The man who has not yet been identified was declared dead in the regional One Hospital.

“The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) works independently to determine the series of events that have led to the shootings,” said BPD official in a press release. “The TBI will publish all additional information about this investigation.”

The Mobile Command Center of the Bartlett Police Department arrived on site shortly before 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Units with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation came shortly afterwards.

TBI made Action News 5 available with the following explanation:

TBI leads this investigation. Your results will be sent to the District Prosecutor of Shelby for further review and examination.

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