Man Wanted on Probation Violation Fatally Shot by Sevier County Deputies at Pigeon Forge Motel

PIGEON FORGE, TN — An independent state investigation is underway after a Knox County man with a violent criminal history was shot and killed by law enforcement early Wednesday morning at a local motel.
The deceased has been identified by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) as Leroy Victor Brooks, 40.
According to local authorities and public records, the incident began around 4:25 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Officers with the Pigeon Forge Police Department and deputies from the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Days Inn motel, located at 4010 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, after receiving a tip that Brooks was staying there.

Attempted Warrant Service Turns Deadly

Law enforcement officials were attempting to serve an outstanding Knox County felony warrant on Brooks for a violation of probation.
Initial attempts by Pigeon Forge officers to make contact with Brooks inside his room were unsuccessful, and local police eventually cleared the scene. Shortly after, three Sevier County Sheriff’s deputies successfully made contact with the suspect.
Bryan Delius, a local defense attorney representing the involved deputies, stated that other individuals were present inside the motel room when law enforcement arrived. Delius noted that the deputies “used the highest degree of restraint and professionalism” to safely remove the bystander from the room before engaging further with Brooks.
The situation escalated rapidly once deputies confronted the suspect.
“The suspect presented an immediate deadly threat by pointing a firearm at our Deputies,” Sevier County Sheriff Michael R. Hodges, Jr. said in a public statement. “In response, our Deputies used deadly force to protect their own lives and the lives of others.”
All three deputies opened fire, striking Brooks. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured during the encounter.

Deceased Had a History of Violence

Court records reveal that Brooks had an extensive criminal record in East Tennessee dating back to 2005.

• 2011: Brooks was convicted on federal bank robbery charges stemming from an incident at a First Tennessee Bank, resulting in a five-year prison sentence.
• Late 2023: While on supervised release, Brooks was caught on body camera trading gunfire with Knoxville Police Department officers who had responded to a call that he was shooting at homes.
• 2025: Brooks pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder and other charges regarding the 2023 shootout. He received a two-year prison sentence but was released on time-served credit for the nearly two years he spent awaiting trial. He was actively serving an eight-year term of supervised probation when the violation warrant was issued.

Ongoing TBI Investigation

Following standard protocol for officer-involved shootings in Tennessee, 4th Judicial District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn requested that the TBI conduct an independent investigation into the incident.
Sheriff Hodges released a strong message defending his personnel while the investigation proceeds:

“Let this serve as a clear message: If you choose to threaten our Deputies, our citizens, or our visitors with deadly force, our Deputies will use every lawful means necessary to stop that threat. As Sheriff, I will always stand behind our Deputies who are forced to make split-second decisions to protect themselves and others from imminent danger.”

TBI special agents remain on the scene collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. Once completed, their independent findings will be turned over to District Attorney General Dunn to determine if the deputies’ actions were legally justified.