The COB received notification of a police officer involved shooting on January 27, 2022 at 2:31 PM. Director Jill Fitcheard received a call shortly after the initial notification from MNPD’s Commander Carlos Lara with a preliminary update on the circumstances. Director Fitcheard responded to the scene and was briefed again by Commander Lara and Captain Brian Anderson (CID) who released detailed information about the incident. MNCO Investigator April Williams arrived on the scene and was updated. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) were also on the scene. Director Fitcheard and Investigator Vernon Johnson responded to MNPD HQ’s and were able to view the Body Worn Camera (BWC) videos of MNPD, THP and Mount Juliet officers involved in the shooting.
Director Fitcheard viewed publicly released videos and received community complaints from witnesses who observed the incident and acknowledges their concern and outrage in the shooting death of Landon Eastep.
The circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Eastep by MNPD and other members of local law enforcement are gravely disturbing. Director Fitcheard will initiate an independent investigation into the shooting and will ask the District Attorney General to release the investigative findings to the MNCO at the completion of TBI’s investigation.
The MNCO is calling on the other law enforcement agencies involved, specifically, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and Mount Juliet Police Department to release their investigative findings including any records, video, reports, witness statements or other pertinent information related to the death of Mr. Landon Eastep, to the MNCO for review.