Topline: The investigation revealed that, during the pursuit of a wanted fugitive, Stanford fired a gun several times on Bell Street in Smithville, striking a home occupied by a woman and her three children.
Published: December 18, 2024 5:02 pm ET
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Chris Stanford (Photo via DeKalb County Jail)
Special agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have obtained an indictment charging a Warren County District Attorney in connection to an ongoing shooting investigation.
According to the TBI, on November 21, agents began investigating the incident involving 31st Judicial District Attorney General Christopher Robert Stanford.
The investigation revealed that, during the pursuit of a wanted fugitive, Stanford fired a gun several times on Bell Street in Smithville, striking a home occupied by a woman and her three children.
On December 16, the DeKalb County Grand Jury returned an indictment, charging Stanford with one count of Reckless Endangerment.
He later surrendered to authorities at the DeKalb County Jail, from which authorities released him after he posted $10,000 bond.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office provided details about the events in a social media update. The sheriff’s office stated that authorities began pursuing suspects after discovering three bodies—two inside a house and one in an adjacent building.
The suspects were later located in DeKalb County.
According to the sheriff’s office, one suspect was arrested without incident. However, law enforcement officers, including Stanford, continued their pursuit of the second suspect, who was a passenger in a vehicle.
During the pursuit, the driver of the car attempted to assist the suspect in escaping and struck a Homeland Security officer with the vehicle. In response, Stanford fired shots at the vehicle, though no one was injured by the gunfire. The Homeland Security officer was injured and subsequently hospitalized, as confirmed by District Attorney Bryant Dunaway in a social media post.
In a statement to WTVF-TV, Stanford explained that he fired his weapon after the officer was hit.
“The vehicle then accelerated towards me and others at the scene. I fired my service weapon in defense of myself and others. Given the circumstances and my training, I believe my actions were necessary and justified,” Stanford said.
Stanford also noted that he holds a state law enforcement certification, allowing him to carry his firearm at all times.
The two suspects connected to the three deaths were arrested and charged with criminal homicide, while the driver of the vehicle was charged with felony evading arrest and aggravated assault, according to the sheriff’s office.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Tennessee District Attorney Indicted After Gunfire Hits House with Mother, Children Inside
The investigation revealed that, during the pursuit of a wanted fugitive, Stanford fired a gun several times on Bell Street in Smithville, striking a home occupied by a woman and her three children.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 18, 2024 5:02 pm ET
Chris Stanford (Photo via DeKalb County Jail)
Special agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have obtained an indictment charging a Warren County District Attorney in connection to an ongoing shooting investigation.
According to the TBI, on November 21, agents began investigating the incident involving 31st Judicial District Attorney General Christopher Robert Stanford.
The investigation revealed that, during the pursuit of a wanted fugitive, Stanford fired a gun several times on Bell Street in Smithville, striking a home occupied by a woman and her three children.
On December 16, the DeKalb County Grand Jury returned an indictment, charging Stanford with one count of Reckless Endangerment.
He later surrendered to authorities at the DeKalb County Jail, from which authorities released him after he posted $10,000 bond.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office provided details about the events in a social media update. The sheriff’s office stated that authorities began pursuing suspects after discovering three bodies—two inside a house and one in an adjacent building.
The suspects were later located in DeKalb County.
According to the sheriff’s office, one suspect was arrested without incident. However, law enforcement officers, including Stanford, continued their pursuit of the second suspect, who was a passenger in a vehicle.
During the pursuit, the driver of the car attempted to assist the suspect in escaping and struck a Homeland Security officer with the vehicle. In response, Stanford fired shots at the vehicle, though no one was injured by the gunfire. The Homeland Security officer was injured and subsequently hospitalized, as confirmed by District Attorney Bryant Dunaway in a social media post.
In a statement to WTVF-TV, Stanford explained that he fired his weapon after the officer was hit.
“The vehicle then accelerated towards me and others at the scene. I fired my service weapon in defense of myself and others. Given the circumstances and my training, I believe my actions were necessary and justified,” Stanford said.
Stanford also noted that he holds a state law enforcement certification, allowing him to carry his firearm at all times.
The two suspects connected to the three deaths were arrested and charged with criminal homicide, while the driver of the vehicle was charged with felony evading arrest and aggravated assault, according to the sheriff’s office.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Tennessee District Attorney Indicted After Gunfire Hits House with Mother, Children Inside
The investigation revealed that, during the pursuit of a wanted fugitive, Stanford fired a gun several times on Bell Street in Smithville, striking a home occupied by a woman and her three children.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 18, 2024 5:02 pm ET
Chris Stanford (Photo via DeKalb County Jail)
Special agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have obtained an indictment charging a Warren County District Attorney in connection to an ongoing shooting investigation.
According to the TBI, on November 21, agents began investigating the incident involving 31st Judicial District Attorney General Christopher Robert Stanford.
The investigation revealed that, during the pursuit of a wanted fugitive, Stanford fired a gun several times on Bell Street in Smithville, striking a home occupied by a woman and her three children.
On December 16, the DeKalb County Grand Jury returned an indictment, charging Stanford with one count of Reckless Endangerment.
He later surrendered to authorities at the DeKalb County Jail, from which authorities released him after he posted $10,000 bond.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office provided details about the events in a social media update. The sheriff’s office stated that authorities began pursuing suspects after discovering three bodies—two inside a house and one in an adjacent building.
The suspects were later located in DeKalb County.
According to the sheriff’s office, one suspect was arrested without incident. However, law enforcement officers, including Stanford, continued their pursuit of the second suspect, who was a passenger in a vehicle.
During the pursuit, the driver of the car attempted to assist the suspect in escaping and struck a Homeland Security officer with the vehicle. In response, Stanford fired shots at the vehicle, though no one was injured by the gunfire. The Homeland Security officer was injured and subsequently hospitalized, as confirmed by District Attorney Bryant Dunaway in a social media post.
In a statement to WTVF-TV, Stanford explained that he fired his weapon after the officer was hit.
“The vehicle then accelerated towards me and others at the scene. I fired my service weapon in defense of myself and others. Given the circumstances and my training, I believe my actions were necessary and justified,” Stanford said.
Stanford also noted that he holds a state law enforcement certification, allowing him to carry his firearm at all times.
The two suspects connected to the three deaths were arrested and charged with criminal homicide, while the driver of the vehicle was charged with felony evading arrest and aggravated assault, according to the sheriff’s office.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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