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Coffee County Courthouse Remains Closed After Shooting

Posted at 6:56 AM, Jun 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-20 08:15:09-04

The Coffee County courthouse remained closed Tuesday following an inmate-involved shooting that injured two deputies.

The incident happened Monday afternoon at the Coffee County Justice Center at 300 Hillsboro Boulevard in Manchester. 

Inmate Michael Bell had been in the courthouse for a scheduled hearing on domestic-related charges before he attacked Deputy Wade Bassett, stole his firearm and shot him once in the abdomen.

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Bassett was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time. 

Bell then left the courthouse and shot a second deputy, identified as Wendell Bowen. 

Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Bell then ran two blocks away - going in and out of a home before shooting and killing himself in someone's yard. 

As of Tuesday morning, both deputies were listed in stable condition at area hospitals. 

Bowen underwent surgery at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, while Bassett was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The courthouse would remain closed Tuesday as the investigation continues. 

No other suspects were being considered in this case.