David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

Based upon a preliminary autopsy report, the cause of death of Hugh K. Hurd, as now publicly released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, has been ruled a suicide by means of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

On November 9, 2017 at approximately 4:45 PM, Mr. Hurd exited his condominium, located at 1951 Manor Court, Unit A, in Kingsport, advanced upon a group of Kingsport Police Officers, and immediately opened fire, discharging multiple rounds at them from a shotgun.

Two officers were struck by his gunfire during this unprovoked attack. One officer sustained minor injuries; however, the other officer was struck directly with a minimum of two shotgun blasts and sustained serious injuries.

Multiple Kingsport Police Officers discharged their service weapons in self-defense, providing cover fire, and effectively driving Mr. Hurd back inside his condominium, to enable them to successfully rescue the downed officers.

Once Mr. Hurd was contained back inside his condominium, K.P.D. personnel began clearing neighbors from the surrounding condominiums for safety. At approximately 6:00 PM, the S.W.A.T. Team made a tactical entry into the residence. Mr. Hurd was found inside, already deceased, from what has now been ruled a suicide by means of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

One of the injured officers was treated and released on the same evening and appears to be doing fine. The other injured officer remains hospitalized and has already undergone two surgeries. His injuries are serious; however, as of now, they do not appear life threatening, and the prognosis continues to be positive.

As this remains an active multi-agency investigation, no additional details can or will be released at this time.

As previously released:

As of November 10, 2017, this news release has been updated to include the identity of the suspect, as well as the current status of the injured officers.

The suspect in this incident, as publicly released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, is Hugh K. Hurd, and as previously mentioned, he is now deceased. A previous booking photo, on file at the Kingsport City Jail, has been added to this release at the request of local media.

One of the injured officers was treated and released on Thursday evening and appears to be doing fine. The other injured officer remains hospitalized. He underwent one surgery Thursday evening and is undergoing another surgery Friday afternoon. He sustained serious injuries; however, as of now, they do not appear life threatening, and the prognosis is good.

While these men were injured while performing their duties as sworn law enforcement officers, they are also victims of a violent crime. As such, per protocol and out of concern for both their privacy and safety, their names will not be publicly released at this time.

Finally, just to reiterate, as is the case with any officer involved shooting, in an effort to maintain complete transparency with the community, the Kingsport Police Department contacted the Office of the 2nd Judicial District Attorney with a request for an independent investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The Kingsport Police Department Criminal Investigations Division will also conduct a parallel in-house investigation.

The department has already received, and continues to receive, an outpouring of support from the community in the form of phone calls, text messages, emails, social media posts, and even food deliveries expressing thoughts and prayers for everyone involved. For this, the Kingsport Police Department would like to express sincere heartfelt gratitude.

As this is now an active multi-agency investigation, no additional details can or will be released at this time.

As previously released:

On the afternoon of November 9, 2017 at approximately 2:00 PM, the Kingsport Police Department received information concerning a resident of a condominium in the Ridgefields neighborhood of Kingsport.

The information indicated that an adult male suspect, who resided in the 1900 block of Manor Court, had made threats to harm and/or kill both himself and one of his neighbors. During the course of the ensuing investigation, Officers learned that there was also an outstanding arrest warrant for this same suspect for Failure to Appear on a previous charge of Aggravated Stalking involving a completely different neighbor. They also learned that he was reportedly in possession of a firearm.

Shortly thereafter, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers arrived at the suspect’s residence in an attempt to locate him. Upon arrival, responding officers found that he had barricaded himself inside his residence. Officers set up a perimeter and called in the K.P.D. S.W.A.T. Team to assist.

A telephone message was soon disseminated via the Kingsport 9-1-1 Community Notification System, alerting residents of the neighborhood that there was an emergency situation in progress in the immediate area with instructions for residents to stay indoors.

At approximately 4:45 PM, the suspect exited his condominium, armed with a firearm, and there was an immediate exchange of gunfire between him and the officers. He then retreated back inside his condominium. During the gunfire exchange, two Kingsport Police Patrol Officers were wounded.

The officers’ injuries did not initially appear life threatening, and they were still conscious and alert. Both officers were transported to an area medical facility for treatment. The latest information was that one of those officers had been treated and released, and the other officer was being prepped for surgery. Out of respect for their privacy, their identities will not be released at this time.

K.P.D. personnel began clearing neighbors from the surrounding condominiums for safety. At approximately 6:00 PM, the S.W.A.T. Team made a tactical entry into the suspect’s residence. He was found deceased inside. The exact cause and manner of his death remains under investigation, pending an autopsy, and will not be released at this time. His identity is being temporarily withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The scene has now been rendered safe, and residents are being allowed to return to their homes; however, it is still an active crime scene with very limited access.

As is the case with any officer involved shooting, in an effort to maintain complete transparency with the community, the Kingsport Police Department contacted the Office of the 2nd Judicial District Attorney with a request for an independent investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The Kingsport Police Department Criminal Investigations Division will also conduct a parallel in-house investigation.

The department has received an outpouring of support from the community in the form of phone calls, text messages, emails, social media posts, and even food deliveries expressing thoughts and prayers for everyone involved. For this, the Kingsport Police Department would like to express sincere heartfelt gratitude.

As this is now an active multi-agency investigation, no additional details can or will be released at this time.

58 Years of Age

Kingsport, TN

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton