David DeWayne Evans Jr., 31, who has been a fugitive for approximately three weeks, has been captured, according to local law enforcement and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The TBI released a statement Wednesday afternoon that information was developed that Evans was at a home on McDaniel Lane in the Clouds community of 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 Smoky Mountain Fugitive Task Force, located Evans and arrested him after a brief standoff with the use of chemical weapons.
“We had to use tear gas,” said Claiborne County Sheriff David Ray during a news conference Wednesday afternoon, “he didn’t want to come out (of the house).”
Evans was being held in the Claiborne County Jail.
According to Ray, Evans recently came onto local law enforcement’s radar when he allegedly escaped an attempted traffic stop in mid-May and Claiborne officers lost him when he went into Virginia.
Evans next allegedly 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 was the lead investigator on the case.
The gunfire allegedly caused 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 at the time. Engle returned to duty the next day, stated Ray on Wednesday.
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). Ray said Evans allegedly opened fire on officers at that time as well.
Evans was wanted by the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on charges of attempted second degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon during the commission of a dangerous felony, felony evading arrest and a variety of traffic offenses.
Ray stated that Evans was also wanted on drug charges out of other jurisdictions.
Evans was being held pending arraignment in the General Sessions Court of Claiborne County.
Ray said that Dean Clark, a co-defendant in the case, was arrested prior to Wednesday and is being held on similar charges to Evans in the Claiborne County Jail. Clark is being held without bond, Ray said.
Law enforcement agencies in Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky were involved in the pursuit of Evans.
Ray expressed appreciation to all the various agencies for their assistance in capturing Evans. “Their support and cooperation was key to apprehending a dangerous offender,” he said.
The agencies named by Ray are: Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office, New Tazewell Police Department, Tazewell Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service Smoky Mountain Fugitive Task Force, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, LaFollette Police Department K-9 Unit, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, Bell County, Kentucky, Sheriff’s Office, Maynardville Police Department, Middlesboro, Kentucky, Police Department, Kentucky State Police, Lee County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, Tennessee Eighth Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, Eighth Judicial District Drug Task Force, United States National Park Service, U.S. Marshals Service for the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Marshals Service for the Western District of Virginia, Claiborne Emergency Medical Service, South Claiborne Volunteer Department and Claiborne County 911.
Jim Fowler, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Tennessee, said, “We are grateful that Evans was arrested before he could endanger any more lives. The manhunt was truly a collaborative effort that involved federal, state and local agencies, and Evans’ safe apprehension is a testament to the professionalism and selfless dedication of all officers involved.”
Fowler further stated that “Sheriff Ray is to be commended for his leadership and his office for keeping the citizens of Claiborne County safe.”
The Claiborne Progress will have more information as it becomes available.
Reach Marisa Anders at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @newsgirl88. Jan Runions contributed to this article.
