TBI Investigating Friday’s Manhunt And Shooting

Cocke County still reeling from Friday’s manhunt. Gary Ball, who was wanted for parole violation alluded police for several hours Friday. Just before after 6:00 a.m Friday, officers with the Newport Police Department received a report that the driver of a white car was in the area of East Broadway pointing a handgun at a female passenger and waving the weapon out the window.

Ball refused to stop, and a pursuit began. Preliminary information indicates that while traveling along E Highway 25/70. Ball fired shots at Cocke County deputies who were assisting with the pursuit. He then continued to drive along E Highway 25/70, making numerous turns. Just before 6:30, near the intersection of Blazer Street and North Street, Ball fired shots at officers with the Newport Police Department, resulting in officers returning fire. No one was struck….but Rocky Top Graffix, a business on US Hwy 321 in the Northport area had a gunshot go through their window. Ball then reportedly fired at least one more shot in the direction of a pedestrian. The pursuit continued until Ball reached Fairview Street. At that point, he got out of the vehicle and ran from the area. Just after 1:00 p.m., Gary Ball was located by authorities at a vacant home in the area of Missionary Ridge Road. He was taken into custody without incident. Numerous law enforcement agencies were involved in the pursuit with the Cocke County Sheriff’s office. Those departments include the Newport Police department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Blount County Sheriff’s office and the US Marshals. According to the Cocke County Sheriff’s department, Gary Ball has been transferred out of the Cocke County jail to a more secure detention facility. The TBI is investigating Friday’s shooting.