TBI confirms fatal police shooting of knife wielding man in Chattanooga on Christmas Eve

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WTVC) — UPDATE (Jan. 3rd, 2025):

The Chattanooga Police Department has released the names of the officers involved in this incident. They are:

• Sergent Lewis Davis
• Field Training Officer Dylan Johnston

Depend on us to keep you posted as this investigation continues.

UPDATE:

The TBI confirmed on Tuesday evening that a police shooting on East Brainerd Road was fatal.

The bureau identified the deceased man as 38-year-old Roberto Carlos Rodriguez Zayas.

The TBI also said that at least two officers with the Chattanooga Police Department shot at Zayas after "the situation escalated."

Officials said officers gave verbal commands for Zayas to drop the knife before they fired shots.

According to a press release, District Attorney Coty Wamp requested the TBI's involvement in the investigation.

The bureau said investigators will share their findings with Wamp who will then make a final decision on "whether an officer’s actions were justified in these types of matters."

EARLIER:

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) says they are investigating after Chattanooga Police officers fired shots at a man who was holding a knife on East Brainerd Road.

The incident started by the Waffle House and ended near the Red Owl Coffee company.

Victor Miller with Chattanooga Police said when officers arrived at the scene, they found a man wielding a knife.

Police added the man started walking down East Brainerd Road and ran off into a wooded area.

Things escalated and police said officers fired their weapons at the man.

WTVC crews saw several officers on the scene, along with EMS and the fire department.

No officers were hurt, according to police.

We are working to learn more details, including the condition of the armed man.

This is a developing story and will be updated.