BLUFF CITY — A Sullivan County grand jury has determined that an officer who shot and killed a man in June of last year followed proper protocol, and no action will be taken against him.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation previously reported they were investigating the incident, which occurred on June 12, 2024, involving William Kevin Guinn, 54, and a Sullivan County deputy.
The TBI handed its findings to the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, which then forwarded the case to a grand jury. The jury delivered its findings on Jan. 29.
According to the grand jury report, law enforcement had been called to Guinn’s residence multiple times over the months leading up to the shooting for welfare checks due to his ongoing struggles with depression and difficulties at work.
On previous occasions, the report states that officers were able to either calm him down or have him taken to a hospital for evaluation.
“The man had begun drinking heavily and was at times suicidal, as reported by his wife,†the report states.
On June 12, an off-duty officer requested a welfare check after Guinn’s wife expressed concern over social media posts he had made. Responding officers, who had previously interacted with Guinn, asked him to step outside and speak with them. Guinn refused and admitted to having a weapon. When officers requested to pat him down, he agreed.
As one officer moved in to retrieve the weapon, Guinn abruptly turned to his left and stated he had a Glock. He then reached into his left pocket, where an officer reportedly saw what appeared to be the black pistol grip of a Glock handgun.
“The officer yelled ‘Don’t’ but feared for his life and that of the other officer and discharged his service weapon, hitting the man,†the report states.
Emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene shortly after. Guinn was pronounced dead.
The Sullivan County grand jury heard evidence from two TBI Special Agents and examined the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office’s General Order on Use of Force. They concluded that the deputy felt “there was an immediate threat and followed correct protocol in firing his weapon.â€
The grand jury ruled that no action should be taken against the deputy.
