A police standoff has shut down multiple lanes of Interstate 40 in Madison County Friday afternoon.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation reports all westbound lanes and two of the three eastbound lanes at Exit 87 are closed.
According to WBBJ, a large law enforcement response, including helicopters, was called to an incident involving a vehicle stopped in the middle of the interstate. WBBJ reports a child was safely removed from the vehicle around 3:14 p.m., while the suspect remained inside.
At about 3:37 p.m., WBBJ reported law enforcement deployed what appeared to be a chemical agent, and a K-9 unit was assisting at the scene.
By 3:48 p.m., WBBJ reported the suspect exited the vehicle after the chemical agent was deployed and ran west on I-40. Law enforcement pursued the suspect and deployed additional chemical agents. WBBJ crews at the scene reported hearing what they believed were gunshots before the suspect was seen lying on the highway. Medical crews were responding.
TDOT is urging drivers to avoid the area and expect significant delays.
The incident remains active, and no additional information has been released.
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