BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — The suspect accused of shooting and critically injuring a Sullivan County deputy last Friday has died, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
Alan Coulter, 54, was found unresponsive in his jail cell just before 7 p.m. Monday, a release from the TBI states. Coulter was found in the corner of the cell, which housed three inmates.
Officers and medical staff immediately began resuscitation efforts until paramedics arrived to transport Coulter to an area hospital, where he had been since.
Sullivan County District Attorney Barry Staubus said he can’t comment on the circumstances surrounding Coulter’s death yet.
“We’ll have two related but separate investigations,” Staubus said. “One regarding the shooting, and secondly, the investigation regarding the death of Mr. Coulter.”
Staubus and TBI are working together on the investigation of Coulter’s death.
“Once that investigation is complete, and I have reviewed it, I intend to submit it to the grand jury and then the grand jury will hear the matter, and they’ll release their findings,” Staubus said. “I’ll be able to then disclose to the public the circumstances surrounding his death.”
The TBI reports that Coulter died Thursday morning. His body will be sent for an autopsy, the TBI released. The incident remains under investigation.
Coulter had been facing the following charges in relation to the Jan. 21 shooting on Riley Hollow Road:
- Two counts of attempted first-degree murder
- Reckless endangerment
- Unlawful possession of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony
- Three counts of aggravated assualt
- Failure to appear
Prior to being found unresponsive, Coulter had been denied bond after an arraignment Monday.
The deputy who was injured in the shooting involving Coulter has since been released from the hospital.
