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East TN Deputy Shot In Face; Suspect In Custody

Posted at 9:52 AM, Dec 17, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-17 10:52:40-05

A suspect was taken into custody after an East Tennessee deputy was shot twice in the face during a standoff. 

According to CBS affiliate WJHL, the incident happened Wednesday night near a home on Dry Hollow Road in the Stoney Creek community, located about five hours east of Nashville, just outside of Johnson City. 

Carter County Sheriff’s officials said deputies responded to the home after a call of an intoxicated man with a gun. That man was identified as 39-year-old Kelly Lee Pitts.

Authorities were able to get those inside the home to a safe location. 

Sheriff Dexter Lunceford said at that time, a barrage of bullets was fired in their direction.

“[You] take cover. Your training comes back, and I got behind the wheel as did the other officers and again I can only estimate 30 or 40 rounds,” he said.

They exchanged gunfire while Pitts barricaded himself inside the residence. 

Deputy Jenna Markland was shot in the cheek and a bullet grazed her forehead. She was flown to an area hospital and is expected to survive.

A neighbor was shot in the hand but she will also recover.

Pitts was caught hiding in a cave around 3 a.m. Thursday.

Authorities charged him with seven counts of criminal attempt to commit first degree murder. Pitts was booked into the Carter County Jail on a $700,000 bond.