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Austin Walters

Gender : Male

Age : 21

Race : White

Date : 06/09/2025

Location : Highway 394 near Highway 11W

City : Sullivan County (unincorporated)

County : Sullivan

State : Tennessee

Agency : Tennessee Highway Patrol

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during big crash response

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 06/09/2025 at approximately 10:19 p.m., a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper responded to a motor-vehicle crash along Highway 394 near Highway 11W in Sullivan County. During the response, the trooper encountered 21-year-old Austin Walters, whom he believed to be intoxicated. As the trooper attempted to arrest him at the scene, Walters fled on foot. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Walters allegedly produced a firearm during the foot chase. The trooper then shot and killed him.
Walters was pronounced dead at the scene. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is leading the independent review, with findings to be turned over to the 2nd Judicial District Attorney General.
Family members described Walters as a “good-hearted kid who struggled but always meant well.” His mother stated that he loved working on cars and riding dirt bikes, and he was described as someone who “loved deeply and had many friends.” They expressed deep shock and disbelief over his death, emphasizing that they did not believe he would intentionally harm law enforcement. His family is now calling for transparency and the release of all bodycam or dashcam footage related to the shooting.
Officer names have not been disclosed, and no footage has been publicly released so far.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://fox17.com/news/local/tbi-investigating-fatal-officer-involved-shooting-in-sullivan-county
https://wcyb.com/news/local/tbi-suspect-dead-after-pulling-gun-on-state-trooper
https://tbinewsroom.com/2025/06/09/tbi-agents-investigating-sullivan-county-officer-involved-shooting-3/