05/21/08 Morning Edition
http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/east_tennessee_manhunt_for_police_shooting_suspect/9772/
The manhunt is on for a suspect in an officer involved shooting in Knoxville.
Authorities are scouring East Tennessee for at least one suspect in the shooting of 45-year-old Officer Norman Rickman.
According WVLT-TV/ volunteertv.com, shots rang out as Officer Rickman was responding to a call about a home burglar alarm at 6600 Rockbridge Lane in Northwest Knoxville.
Tuesday’s shooting left Officer Rickman with serious injuries. He underwent surgery and is being treated at the University Of Tennessee Medical Center. Overnight, his condition dropped from serious to critical overnight.
Knox County law enforcement officials plan to release additional details later this morning.
Sullivan County Sherriff’s Office tells Your Tri-Cities News Source, Knox County authorities issued a BOLO-Be On the Look Out-alert for Cleven Jaquaren Johnson.
The 26 year old suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6 feet, 155 lbs. with hazel eyes. Johnson has multiple tattoos on his left arm, chest and back. He is believed to be armed with a semi-automatic handgun. So far authorities have not issued a vehicle identification or destination
Cleven Johnson has multiple warrants for his arrest, including one for first degree murder.
East Tennessee law enforcement authorities believe Cleven Johnson is connected to Officer Rickman’s shooting.
The veteran officer was shot three times—twice in the chest and once in the arm. Rickman was also shot in the line of duty back in 2001. That’s when he took a bullet to the chest during a traffic stop. That left him in critical condition
Your Tri-Cities News Source is following this case. We’ll bring your updates here on Tricities.com and throughout the day at News Channel 11.
