KNOXVILLE (WATE) - A man was shot and killed by Knox County deputies Saturday as they responded to a disturbance call on Nubbin Ridge Road in West Knoxville around 6:30 p.m.
When deputies arrived, the homeowner came to the front door with a shotgun. Deputies then fired and killed the man.
"He came to the door armed with a shotgun, pointing at the two officers. Shots were fired, Rural/Metro responded and announced that the suspect was dead on the scene," said Martha Dooley, the Knox County Sheriff's Office's Public Information Officer.
Neighbors have identified the man as Peter Biljak, however the Knox County Sheriff's Office has not confirmed his identity.
6 News spoke to neighbor Max Cole and his wife on Sunday. The Coles live in a home across the street from Biljak. They say they've been neighbors with Biljak for 34 years.
"Total shock, I just couldn't believe it," said Max Cole.
Cole said the couple had become pretty good friends with him and said he was a good neighbor. They were surprised to hear that he pointed a gun at deputies.
"I just can't imagine Pete going to the door with a gun," said Cole. "I didn't even know he had a gun."
Some of Biljak's closest friends were back on-scene Sunday to help to board up and secure the home. One friend told 6News he was concerned after Biljak lost his job last fall. The friend said Biljak was an engineer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The friend said he was so worried about Biljak's well-being that he called officials to come check on him. Saturday night was the third time deputies had been to the home.
The Coles described Biljak as a smart, intelligent person, but a very private one.
"We've never seen him with any friends. We knew he had girlfriends, we met a couple of them," said Max Cole.
Biljak was alone at the time of the shooting, according to deputies. The investigation is ongoing.
A man was shot and killed by Knox County deputies on Nubbin Ridge Road Saturday.
Peter Biljak (Source: Knox County Sheriff's Office)
