Details of the Disappearance

An 11-year-old girl who went missing from the Halls community in Knox County on January 30 has been found safe, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. The girl disappeared from a residence on Crippen Road near Maynardville Pike between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. On Thursday, February 1, an Endangered Child Alert was issued for her.

Person of Interest Identified

Authorities received information that Edward Ahrens, a registered sex offender, was a person of interest in the child’s disappearance and may have been heading to Catoosa County, Georgia, with her. The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office was notified and began their own investigation.

The Rescue Operation

Using a mobile phone number, Catoosa County investigators were able to locate Ahrens and the missing girl. The Tennessee-Georgia line became the focus of the investigation, leading to their discovery in Hamilton County. KCSO Juvenile Detectives, along with members of the Technology Crimes Division and Narcotics Unit, successfully located the child and Ahrens.

Tragic Turn of Events

Unfortunately, Ahrens did not comply with law enforcement and used his vehicle as a weapon, running over several detectives. In response, four officers fired their weapons, striking Ahrens. He was taken to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly afterward. The officers involved sustained minor injuries during the incident.

Relief and Gratitude

The rescued girl, who was on the TBI endangered child list, was found alive and unharmed. Knox County Sheriff’s Office expressed their gratitude for her safe recovery. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation taking charge.

Prior Criminal Record

The Georgia Department of Corrections revealed that Ahrens had a history of charges related to sexual exploitation of a child, aggravated assault, and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. These charges date back to the 2000s.

Mugshot via Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office

Investigation into the Shooting

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will conduct an independent investigation into the shooting incident to determine the sequence of events leading to Ahrens’s death. They will work alongside the relevant authorities to gather all the necessary information.

Updates on the Story

This news article will be updated as more information becomes available.