TBI Agents Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting in Hawkins County

Preliminary information indicates that on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at approximately 9:30 p.m., a deputy with the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office observed what appeared to be an abandoned car in the VFW Auxiliary parking lot in Bulls Gap. While investigating the vehicle, the deputy heard a female call out to him. He made contact with the woman who stated her husband, identified as 44-year-old Michael Snyder (DOB 1/13/76), walked into a nearby wooded area and mentioned harming himself. A check of Snyder’s information revealed that he had an active warrant out of Hamblen County for Failure to Appear. Additional Hawkins County deputies, along with a K9 team from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene to assist in searching for Snyder. Deputies located Snyder a short distance away and discovered he had climbed a tree. At some point during the confrontation, Snyder reportedly fired a weapon at deputies. One Hawkins County deputy and the Greene County deputy returned fire, striking him. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. No deputies were injured during the incident.
This continues to be an active and ongoing investigation, as TBI Special Agents gather any and all relevant interviews and evidence. As in any case, our investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General throughout the process for his consideration and review.