At the request of 12th District Attorney General Michael Taylor, TBI Agents continue to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred Saturday night in the Coalmont area of Grundy County.
Preliminary information indicates the incident occurred at approximately 10:30 PM following an attempted traffic stop on B Mine Road by deputies from the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department. The driver reportedly pointed a firearm at the deputy, who then fired into the vehicle several times. The vehicle, which was facing the deputy’s vehicle at the time of the shooting, sped away and sideswiped the deputy’s cruiser. Deputies attempted to pursue the vehicle, but quickly lost sight of it.
Approximately 20 minutes later, a citizen happened to see the suspect crashed off of the side of B Mine Road. The male driver approached the citizen and said that he had been shot and needed help, asking for the citizen’s vehicle. The citizen drove off and contacted law enforcement. When officers arrived, the driver was not present. However, a female’s body was found inside the vehicle and has been identified as Shelby Comer, DOB 10-23-97. Her body will be sent for autopsy in Nashville to determine the cause of death.
Deputies believe the driver of the vehicle to be Charles “Zach” Burris. Efforts to locate him remain ongoing by the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office.
TBI Special Agents and Forensic Scientists will gather any and all relevant interviews and evidence as part of this ongoing investigation. Throughout the process, Agents will submit investigative findings to the District Attorney General for his review and consideration. As a reminder: The TBI only acts as ‘fact-finders’ in its investigation. The determination as to whether the law enforcement officers’ actions were justified rests solely with him. Additionally, the TBI does not identify officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to their respective department.
