Samuel Quinton Edwards, who was at the center of a manhunt after a police officer was shot, died after exchanging gunfire with Kentucky State Police in Louisville, officials said.
Edwards, 34, was wanted after officials accused him of shooting a Hendersonville police officer during a chase in Madison on Monday night. The officer was non-critically wounded, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.
MNPD reported that Edwards was dead just before 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Police said Edwards fired shots into the officer’s SUV and abandoned a van in the 600 block of Gibson Drive. He then fled on foot, armed with two guns, according to MNPD.
Police believe Edwards then stole a white 2009 Chevy Silverado pickup truck from Gibson Drive. The keys were left inside the truck, MNPD said.
SECOND BLUE ALERT:Blue Alert issued for man accused of shooting Erin police officer during traffic stop
Truck found in Millersville as search unfolded
Officials widely shared details about Edwards and the truck, including its license plate number. The Millersville Police Department said the truck was later found on Cycle Lane off Bethel Road on Tuesday morning.
Just before 11 a.m. southbound lanes of Interstate 65 at Bethel Road were closed down due to police activity, a Tennessee Department of Transportation map showed. The shutdown was near where the truck was found.
A TDOT spokesperson confirmed the shutdown was tied to a “wanted suspect” in the area. The interstate fully reopened later in the day.
TDOT:I-65 south closed by police activity in Robertson County
TBI issued a “blue alert” Tuesday morning as the hunt for Edwards continued, saying he was wanted by both MNPD and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for attempted criminal homicide and evading arrest.
The TBI alert went out via Twitter and also triggered messages on Tennessee Department of Transportation signs. A cell phone alert went out around 4 p.m.
BLUE ALERT:What is a Blue Alert and how are they applied in Tennessee?
Records: Edwards shot officer while out on bond
Out on bond, Edwards faced more than a dozen charges in Putnam County following a previous shooting incident on June 14, records showed. He and Erica Lynn, 31, are accused in a shooting on Interstate 40 in Cookeville.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol began investigating the incident after receiving calls from motorists saying shots were fired from a blue Chevy Suburban into another vehicle traveling on I-40 west, officials said.
THP Trooper Doug Foster then initiated a pursuit onto State Route 70 west after the vehicle failed to stop during stationary observation near the 291-mile marker westbound on I-40.
Edwards lost control of the vehicle, striking a telephone pole and ejecting Lynn less than two miles onto SR 70, THP said. He fled the scene on foot and was quickly apprehended.
Officials found handguns and meth in their possession leading to several felony gun and drug charges. Both are convicted felons. Edwards and Lynn were transported to a nearby hospital and treated for their injuries.
Edwards was released on $79,800 bond on June 21 and was scheduled to appear in Putnam County General Sessions Court on July 20. THP investigators handed over the case to the FBI due to both suspects’ criminal history.
Find reporter Rachel Wegner at [email protected] or on Twitter @rachelannwegner.
Reach Katie Nixon at [email protected] or (615) 517-1285.
