COVINGTON, Tenn. — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Friday an armed suspect was killed by officers after a 14-hour hostage standoff overnight in Covington. During the course of the standoff, a SWAT team member was shot and injured.
The TBI identified the suspect who was killed as 42-year-old Felix Tyler.
Covington Police Department (CPD) said they responded to a call about an armed party with hostages about 5:20 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Dean's Tax Service off Highway 51. They found Tyler holding three hostages, including a child, inside the business.
Interim Chief of CPD Jack Howell said the incident was originally called in as a disturbance but escalated within minutes. Howell said officers arrived on the scene at 5:30 p.m. to find the hostages who were being held were the owner of the tax office, her employee, and her employee's child.
Tipton County Sheriff Shannon Beasley and his team was called to assist, arriving around the same time as CPD.
According to Howell, after being on the scene for roughly 30 minutes, the employee was able to unlock the door of the tax office and quickly escape with her son, leaving the owner and Tyler inside.
Sheriff Beasley said they began negotiations with Tyler, who they said threatened to kill the owner several times and warned if officers entered the building, he would shoot them as well. Beasley said Tyler “assured that no one would make it out alive.”
Investigators said negotiations continued on and off until Tyler "ceased all communication" with law enforcement at 12:40 a.m. Friday.
According to Sheriff Beasley, they made more than 200 calls to Tyler to try to regain communication, and when that didn’t work, they began to introduce chemical agents – tear gas - into the building.
The TBI said about 5 a.m., a SWAT team to enter the building to attempt to rescue the owner, but Tyler started shooting. A SWAT deputy was hit and taken to the hospital. Sheriff Beasley said the deputy went through surgery and has since been released from Regional One.
The TBI said negotiations resumed, and about 7 a.m. a Tipton County SWAT member fired and hit Tyler. The TBI said the reason the SWAT member fired at that time is still under investigation.
At that point, the TBI said more SWAT members entered the building, and Tyler reached for a gun. They said that’s when several officers fired at Tyler, killing him.
The TBI said the business owner was rescued and taken to the hospital to be checked out.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the female victim this evening, and you know, our thoughts and prayers are even with the suspect’s family," Sheriff Beasley said. "It’s a tough situation all the way around no matter what side you’re on.”
Sheriff Beasley said that the incident was believed to have begun a domestic dispute.
The TBI will continue to investigate and findings will be released to the District Attorney General.
ABC24 had a crew outside the business throughout the entire stand off.