In what was described by authorities as a planned ambush, 32-year-old Maryville Police Officer Kenny Moats was shot and killed on August 25, 2016, while responding to a domestic violence call in Alcoa, Tennessee. The male officer, a nine-year veteran of the force, was struck in the neck by a single bullet fired from a. 45 caliber handgun.
Earlier in the day, deputies had been to the home on Alcoa Trail regarding a dispute between Brian Keith Stalans and his father.
Finding no probable cause for an arrest at that time, they left. Later, a second call came in reporting that a person at the residence was now armed. Officer Moats, who was assigned to the Fifth Judicial District Drug Task Force, and another detective responded to assist patrol units.
Upon their arrival, Moats and his partner parked their vehicle approximately 70 yards from the residence and were able to get the suspect's father to a safe location. As they took cover behind their vehicle, Stalans opened fire from the garage, hitting Moats. The other detective and a Blount County sheriff's deputy returned fire and took the 44-year-old suspect, Brian Keith Stalans, into custody.
Investigators later found a letter in Stalans' home in which he blamed his family and Blount County authorities for his problems, leading them to believe the shooting was an ambush. Stalans was charged with criminal homicide, which included the possibility of a capital murder charge. On May 1, 2017, Brian Keith Stalans pleaded guilty to murder and five other charges. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 56 years.
