MOSCOW, Tenn. — The TBI said it is investigating the shooting of a man who authorities said tried to run over a Moscow, Tennessee police officer not once, but twice.
It happened early Monday morning on Highway 57.
As the man underwent surgery in a Memphis hospital, family members want answers on whether the shooting was necessary.
“He didn’t have no gun, no weapon. He was not considered armed and extremely dangerous. So why did the officer have the right to shoot him?” said Kenyatta Luellen.
It was a question he has been asking ever since his 61-year old uncle, Mark Luellen was shot by police Monday morning.
“He had got shot in the shoulder and it hit a main artery. He’s still in Intensive Care and right now they’re not letting anyone in at the time,” said Luellen.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Luellen was pulled over just before 4 a.m. in front of Gurkin’s Convenience Store on Highway 57.
The officer who pulled him over noticed Luellen driving very slow and weaving back and forth.
A background check showed an outstanding warrant for Luellen in Hardeman County.
According to the TBI, when the officer tried to arrest him, he backed his car up, hit the officer and then circled the parking lot and tried to hit him again.
A witness confirmed that information to investigators.
That’s when the officer fired.
The man’s nephew told WREG things could have been handled differently and his uncle should not have been shot.
“You had his driver’s license, you had his license plate, you should have just called for backup,” he said.
The name of the officer involved has not been released.
After being hot, Luellen was able to drive about a mile east on Highway 57 before leaving the road and hitting a utility pole.
He was taken to the Regional Medical Center.
While the TBI’s investigation continues, Luellen’s family said they hope for the best for a man they said was “good hearted.”
“He’s to nice, he’d carry you around. He helps out everybody,” said the man’s nephew.
Luellen said he believes his uncle was wanted on traffic related charges, but claims the man took care of them recently.
Still, police and a witness say he tried to run over a police officer.
