- Angel Melendez was shot and killed by police after brandishing a handgun during a raid on January 28.
- Officers were responding to an Endangered Child Alert involving a missing 15-year-old girl found with Melendez.
- The juvenile struck Officer Terry Crowe with a knife shortly after Melendez was shot, but she was unharmed.
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE — Angel Melendez, 46, was shot and killed during a police operation at an apartment on Tillery Road on Wednesday, January 28, after officers encountered him in a bedroom with a missing and endangered 15-year-old girl and reported that he pointed a handgun at them. The Knoxville Police Department has now released redacted body-camera footage from the incident.
Endangered Child Alert Led Investigators to the Apartment
Detectives said they were following up on credible information that the missing juvenile was inside an apartment at the North Park Apartments on Tillery Road with Melendez, who was not related to her. The day before the incident, on Tuesday, January 27, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an Endangered Child Alert for the teen.
Warrants were placed on file charging Melendez with concealing, harboring, or hiding a runaway child, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and theft of a firearm.
Officers Entered With Owner’s Consent
According to the department’s release, Special Operations Squad personnel approached the apartment at approximately 10:25 a.m., knocked, and announced their presence for an extended period. Officers then entered the unit with the consent of the owner as they attempted to recover the missing teen and arrest Melendez.
Gun Drawn Inside Bedroom Before Shots Fired
The department stated that officers located Melendez and the missing juvenile inside a small bedroom shortly after entering. During the confrontation, Melendez retrieved a handgun and pointed it at officers, according to the release.
Two SOS team members—Lt. Shawn Shreve and Sgt. Chris Hutton—fired in response. Police said Melendez was struck multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene.
Officer Struck With Knife Moments Later
Seconds after the shooting, police said the missing juvenile struck Officer Terry Crowe in the head with a large knife. Crowe was wearing a helmet and was not injured, according to the release.
The juvenile was recovered safely and was not harmed. Police said she was charged in connection with the assault and was evaluated at UT Medical Center following the incident.
Investigations Ongoing; Officers Placed on Leave
The video release includes body-camera footage from Lt. Shreve, Sgt. Hutton, and Officer Crowe. References to the juvenile were redacted to protect her identity, and the department warned the footage contains graphic images.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is handling the shooting investigation under standard protocol. The Knoxville Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards is also conducting an internal administrative review. Lt. Shreve and Sgt. Hutton were placed on routine administrative leave following the incident.
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