*PRESS RELEASE*
Date: 12/17/2015
For Immediate release
Kelly Lee Pitts Age: 36
Charged with Seven Counts of Attempted First Degree Murder
Bond set at $700,000.
On Wednesday night, December 16th, 2015, at 9:02 P.M., the Carter County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 433 Dry Hollow Road in the Stoney Creek Community on a complaint of an intoxicated man waving a gun around. Sheriff Dexter Lunceford, Sgt. David Caldwell, Deputy Jenna Markland and Deputy Brian Mosier responded to the scene. While Sheriff Lunceford was speaking with the complainant, a man later identified as Kelly Lee Pitts opened fire on the complainant, the Sheriff and Deputies with an AK-47 from the residence at 433 Dry Hollow. Pitts fired several rounds striking the female complainant, identified as Brandy Hyder, in the hand and hitting Deputy Jenna Markland in the face. Pitts continued to fire into the Deputies vehicles, pinning the Deputies down. Sheriff Lunceford was able to return fire. After the fire ceased, Deputy Jenna Markland and Brandy Hyder were removed from the scene in a civilian truck meeting the Carter County Rescue Squad for transport to the Johnson City Medical Center.
Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams from the Carter County Sheriff’s Office and Elizabethton Police Department responded in order to secure the scene and arrest Mr. Pitts. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the THP Aviation unit, and Carter County Rescue Squad responded in order to support the effort. The teams fired tear gas into the trailer and made entry discovering that Mr. Pitts had fled leaving behind a rifle and the AK-47. A search for Pitts ensued and he was discovered hiding in a cave behind the residence. Pitts was still heavily armed with a rifle and two pistols, but surrendered when challenged by SWAT team members.
Deputy Jenna Markland and Brandy Hyder were responsive when they arrived at the Hospital and are in stable condition. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident and has charged Kelly Lee Pitts with seven (7) count of Attempted First Degree Murder.