KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Police have identified the suspect involved in a downtown shooting that led officers on a chase down Oak Ridge Highway before taking his own life.

The incident began around 10 a.m. Thursday when Knoxville Police say a woman was shot while driving near James White Parkway and Interstate 40 East.

The victim, who has not been identified, suffered injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening. The preliminary investigation shows the woman and the shooter knew each other, a Knoxville Police spokesman said.

Officers were able to obtain a description of the suspect vehicle, which was spotted by deputies in the 9300 block of Kingston Pike. The vehicle did not yield to a request to stop and instead accelerated, leading deputies on a chase to Oak Ridge Highway.

“At some point during the pursuit spike strips were deployed, but the suspect kept traveling,” said a spokesman for the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were able to successfully use the PIT maneuver to bring the suspect to a stop. The crash happened around 11:26 a.m. Thursday, on Oak Ridge Highway just east of Ball Road.

The suspect’s vehicle ended up in the ditch line between Schaad Road and Ball Road on Oak Ridge Highway. Deputies heard gunshots as they exited their patrol cars and found the suspect with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Knoxville Police said around 10:45 p.m. the suspect, Bryan Michael Hurst, 47 of Knoxville, has died. The Knox County Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy to confirm the cause of death. 

  • (WATE)
  • Knox County deputies on scene at the end of a pursuit on Oak Rigde Highway (WATE)
  • Ford Pickup involuved in a pusuit with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. (WATE)
  • Ford Pickup involuved in a pusuit with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. (WATE)
  • Deputies searched Ford Pickup that was involved in a pursuit with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. (WATE)

The shooting is under investigation by the KPD Violent Crimes Unit.

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No deputies were injured as a result of the incident.

“I appreciate our men and women and their efforts today ensuring more innocent citizens were not injured,” Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler said. “Their vigilance in spotting the suspect vehicle in such a short time after the Knoxville Police Department issued the BOLO is commendable. I’m thankful they’re safe.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated as more information was released.