District Attorney Courtney C. Lynch
At the request of 12th Judicial District Attorney General Courtney Lynch, TBI agents are investigating the circumstances leading to an officer-involved shooting that occurred Monday evening in Marion County.
Preliminary information indicates that around 8:45 PM, the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Department was investigating a homicide at a residence off Dandy Road on Signal Mountain. Michael Huckabee, age 47, of 7709 Hansley Dr., Chattanooga, TN, was shot and killed at this address during an alleged altercation between him and a friend/acquaintance of his.
During the investigation, authorities identified a suspect, Johnny Michael Queen (DOB 02/15/1984). Investigators contacted Queen by telephone, and he refused to surrender to law enforcement. With the assistance of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the 12th Judicial Drug Task Force, investigators were able to locate Queen off Big Fork Road on Signal Mountain inside Marion County. Law enforcement contacted Queen and attempted negotiations for his surrender. During that time, he brandished a firearm, pointing it at officers, who then fired their service weapons, striking him. Queen was pronounced deceased at the scene. No law enforcement officers were hurt in the incident.
TBI agents continue to work to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for her review and consideration.
TBI acts solely as a factfinder in its cases and does not determine whether an officer’s actions were justified; that decision rests with the District Attorney General, who requests TBI’s involvement.
TBI does not identify the officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers such questions to the respective department to answer as it sees fit.
Sequatchie County Sheriff Bill Phillips confirms that two Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office deputies were involved in the shooting, and both have been placed on paid administrative leave. The Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an internal affairs investigation parallel to the criminal investigation, as is standard practice in these type incidents.
