Clayton Tyler Dodson Obituary, Death – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is conducting a probe into a deadly officer-involved shooting that occurred early Friday morning in Maury County.
At approximately 3 a.m., deputies were dispatched to a gas station located in the 2400 block of New Lewisburg Highway in Columbia. The call was in response to reports of suspected drug activity and a domestic dispute involving a couple at the location.
Upon arrival, deputies found a man and a woman inside a parked car positioned on the side of the gas station. As officers engaged with the pair, the situation took a sudden and violent turn. According to the TBI, after a brief interaction, the man in the vehicle—identified as 25-year-old Clayton Tyler Dodson—produced a firearm and opened fire, hitting one of the deputies.
Fortunately, the bullet struck the deputy’s protective vest, limiting the extent of injury. In response, both deputies returned fire, hitting Dodson. He was quickly transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The TBI stated that the injured deputy sustained only minor wounds during the confrontation and is expected to recover.
As with all officer-involved shootings, the TBI has launched an investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities are working to understand what led to the confrontation and subsequent exchange of gunfire.
The identity of the deputy who was shot has not been released, and no further information has been given about the woman who was with Dodson at the time of the shooting.
Investigators are examining evidence from the scene, reviewing body camera footage if available, and interviewing witnesses to piece together the sequence of events. The TBI emphasized that their goal is to present a clear and impartial account of the incident.
The shooting has sparked renewed focus on the risks law enforcement officers face when responding to domestic disputes and suspected criminal activity. In this case, a routine call escalated rapidly into a life-threatening encounter.
Officials have not yet disclosed whether Dodson had a criminal history or was under the influence at the time of the shooting. Those details may emerge as the investigation continues.
The TBI has asked anyone who may have additional information or witnessed any part of the encounter to come forward. Their findings will ultimately be submitted to the district attorney’s office for review to determine whether the use of force was legally justified.
The incident marks another example of the unpredictable and often dangerous situations officers face in the field, as well as the importance of thorough investigations into all uses of deadly force. The TBI’s investigation remains ongoing.