Man killed by Knoxville police identified as Florida attempted murder suspect

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released the identity of the man killed and another who was injured in an officer-involved shooting that left I-40 in Knoxville shut down overnight Tuesday.

TBI officials said 32-year-old Christian Ramos Murillo was killed in the shooting and Mario Enrique Meija Moya was injured and remains in the hospital as of Thursday afternoon.

According to Florida officials, Murillo was wanted on attempted murder charges in connection with a shooting in North Lauderdale on July 14.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a reported shooting in the area of the 7600 block of Southwest 10th Court around 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14. When deputies arrived to the scene they found a gunshot victim, identified as Julio Cesar Mejia Lopez. The victim was transported to Broward Health North where he remains in critical condition.

The sheriff’s office said following the shooting, Murillo drove to a nearby house where he stole a gun and ammunition. He then fled in a green Chevrolet Tahoe.

According to officials, BSO Violent Intervention Proactive Enforcement Response (V.I.P.E.R) Unit were able to track the suspect’s vehicle heading north through Florida. Florida law enforcement issued an arrest warrant and a statewide BOLO (Be On The Lookout) for Murillo.

A THP trooper spotted a Chevy Tahoe traveling on I-75. The driver of that vehicle was wanted on murder charges out of Florida. The SUV turned onto I-40 East. The trooper reportedly tried to stop the driver near Watt Road. THP said the driver refused to stop and at least one person inside the vehicle fired shots at authorities. One trooper and four deputies returned fire, striking both people in the Chevy Tahoe.

Both suspects were taken to a Knoxville hospital, where Murillo was pronounced dead. The other remains hospitalized.

Dispatch told WVLT News officers responded to a call around 7:25 p.m. for a possible shooting on Interstate 40 eastbound at James White Parkway. The Tennessee Highway Patrol confirmed to WVLT News around 9 p.m. that a pursuit on the interstate turned into an officer-involved shooting.

Dispatch confirmed officers closed I-40 east and westbound lanes at James White Parkway and I-40 westbound from James White Parkway to Asheville Highway. The lanes were closed throughout the night.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation said that THP diverted I-40 west traffic to I-640 west on the east end of Knoxville for at least two hours, adding that, during that time, all on ramps to I-40 west between I-640 west and the scene was closed by KPD.

Police said both east and westbound lanes of I-40 between I-275 and I-640 were closed to through traffic for several hours to continue the investigation.

The Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville Fire Department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident. KPD said they were assisting in the investigation.

According to TBI, the initial call said to be on the lookout for a murder suspect but later clarified that Murillo was wanted on attempted murder charges.

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