David DeWayne Evans Jr., 31, who has been on the run since he allegedly shot at a Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office deputy on May 31, has been captured, according to local law enforcement and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Evans was apprehended in the McDaniel Road area in south Claiborne County, according to a preliminary report from The Big One WRIL. There was a large police presence there around noon and he was taken into custody.
The TBI released a statement Wednesday afternoon that information was developed that Evans was at a home on McDaniel Lane in New Tazewell. The Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the New Tazewell Police Department, Tazewell Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol and the United States Marshals Service, located Evans and arrested him after a brief standoff.
Evans is being held in the Claiborne County Jail as of Wednesday afternoon.
Evans allegedly first dodged law enforcement May 31, evading arrest by gunfire. The suspect allegedly shot directly at CCSO deputy Jacob Engle during a high speed chase in the Harrogate area.
Evans reportedly opened fire directly at the deputy as the two vehicles moved off Forge Ridge and onto Ironworks Road, according to CCSO Detective Tim Shrout, who is the lead investigator on this case.
The gunfire allegedly caused deputy Engle to lose control of his cruiser, striking a stand of trees in the process.
Engle was taken to the Claiborne Medical Center Emergency Room for his injuries, and then released, said Shrout.
An extensive search had been ongoing for Evans, who was considered armed and dangerous.
It was confirmed the morning of June 5 that Evans apparently avoided capture for the second time in less than a week, according to a spokesperson at the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). The CCSO has not released any further information on the event.
He was wanted by the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for multiple charges in this case including attempted second degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon during the commission of a dangerous felony, tampering with evidence and felony evading arrest.
Law enforcement agencies in Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky were involved in the pursuit of Evans. He was expected to be taken to the Claiborne County Justice Center.
Reach Marisa Anders at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @newsgirl88. Reach Jan Runions at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @scribeCP.
