Tremayne D. French Obituary, Death – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has identified Tremayne D. French, 26, as the suspect who was killed in an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Frayser on Monday. The fatal incident was connected to a carjacking that took place earlier in the day.
Police responded to a carjacking report in the 4100 block of Ann Arbor, where a 2020 white Dodge Charger was stolen at gunpoint by two suspects, identified as Tremayne D. French and Tadarius Nichols. The stolen vehicle was spotted by officers at 1:58 p.m. in the area of Watkins Street and Dellwood Avenue with French and Nichols inside.
When officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop at Adair Drive and Gregory Drive, the suspects refused to comply and continued driving. The car eventually came to a halt at the intersection of Frayser Boulevard and Adair Drive, but French and Nichols fled the scene on foot, heading eastbound on Frayser Boulevard.
Officers pursued both suspects in a foot chase. During the pursuit, one of the suspects began firing at the officers. In response, police returned fire, striking and killing the armed suspect, later confirmed to be French. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A firearm was found near his body.
Meanwhile, Nichols was apprehended after a brief foot chase. He was uninjured during the incident and was taken into police custody. Authorities confirmed that no officers were injured during the confrontation.
The TBI is continuing its investigation into the officer-involved shooting, while local authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the deadly encounter. This incident adds to ongoing discussions about officer-involved shootings and the role of law enforcement in high-stakes situations like carjackings.
French’s death, alongside Nichols’ capture, marks the conclusion of the violent carjacking incident, but questions remain as the investigation unfolds. The TBI’s findings will be crucial in determining the exact circumstances of the shooting and whether the officers’ actions were justified under the threat posed by the armed suspect. The officers involved in the incident are also expected to undergo routine reviews as part of the investigation process.
The case has drawn attention from both the local community and beyond, as the events leading up to the fatal encounter shed light on the dangers officers face in situations involving armed suspects. Police have emphasized that the safety of officers and civilians is a priority, and in this case, the officers acted in self-defense after being fired upon.