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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knoxville police officers who shot at a man wielding a small ax or hatchet in November have been cleared of any wrongdoing by District Attorney Charme Allen.
Allen wrote that upon her review, she concluded the method, manner and amount of force used in this incident was “a necessary response to thwart the threat involved.” No charges will be filed against the officers, and the investigation has been closed.
The Knoxville Police Department said officers initially responded to the area on November 12 because of a report of a man armed with an ax. The department shared that the man, identified as 52-year-old Christopher Arons of Knoxville, was drunk and had smashed the window of a car parked on the road.
Arons approached the officers while armed with an ax, KPD said. The officers asked him to drop the ax, but he did not and continued to approach the officers. The officers then fired and struck Arons at least one time. According to the TBI, two Knoxville police officers fired shots.