(Murfreesboro: updated 9:38PM 1/20/2023) A man who shot himself in the face and ran down Interstate 24 armed with the handgun was taken to two hospitals Friday night, a Rutherford County Sheriff’s supervisor said.
41-year old Deviset Patton of Nashville was treated by paramedics while transporting him to Ascension St. Thomas Hospital in Murfreesboro. He was later taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
Detective Sgt. Ty Downing said Patton’s girlfriend was driving on I-24 when they began arguing about 5:30PM.
“He shot himself once in the face,” Downing said.
She pulled over and called 911. Sheriff’s deputies, Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers, Murfreesboro Police and Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue responded.
“As they approached, he took off on foot running down the interstate with a pistol in his hand,” Downing said. “Deputies led by Sgt. David Alford closed traffic in both directions because of an armed man running on the freeway.”
Patton refused Alford’s commands to drop the weapon.
The SWAT Team responded. A K9 stopped Patton and SWAT Team deputies took him into custody.
Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh said charges may be pending.
Fitzhugh appreciates the law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and the Tennessee Department of Transportation for their response.
The sheriff thanked motorists for their understanding while emergency responders handled the situation.
(Murfreesboro: Updated 7:48PM 1/20/2023) One man was taken into custody after he apparently shot himself and walked around allegedly wielding a handgun Friday evening (1/20/2023) on Interstate 24 near Medical Center Parkway.
Sheriff Michael Fitzhugh said, “He had shot himself before our arrival on the interstate."
A responding Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper located the man, who was armed with the handgun.
Teams of Murfreesboro Police and Fire and Rescue, THP troopers and Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputies quickly arrived. They shut down both lanes of traffic on I-24 as well as the ramps leading onto Interstate 840 to protect drivers.
The suspect was taken into custody by a K9.
Paramedics with the Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services treated the male and then transported him to the hospital for an evaluation.
Charges may be pending.
Sheriff Fitzhugh thanked the THP, Murfreesboro Police and Fire, EMS and deputies and the Tennessee Department of Transportation for their response in handling the situation as safely as possible
(Murfreesboro: Updated 6:55PM 1/20/2023) Traffic on I-24 around Medical Center Parkway as well as I-840 near where I-24 crosses under that section, are both experiencing grid-lock traffic conditions. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the congestion and get off the interstate.
Interstate 24 is shut down at the 74-mile marker near Medical Center Parkway and Interstate 840 for an emergency situation. Please take U.S. Highway 41/70 as an alternate route.
There are reports of an armed male on I-24.
Law enforcement officers with rifles as well as police tactical vehicles are reported in the I-24 area.
T-DOT is not using the interstate message signs to guide motorists in the area, nor are they placing travel information on their SmartWay internet map.
NewsRadio WGNS will keep you informed about this local news story.
