KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – A man convicted of attempted first-degree murder after shooting at a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper in January has been sentenced.
On January 12th, troopers saw Eugenio Abraham Solis Klarks, 31, driving 97 mph on I-75 North in Loudon County, according to the Knox County District Attorney General’s Office.
Solis Klarks was pulled over at a gas station off of Exit 81, and after giving troopers his Guatemalan Consular ID card, he drove away, leading police on a chase exceeding 100 mph into Knox County and off the Watt Road exit.
After crossing Watt Road, Solis Klarks lost control and crashed, prompting troopers to order him to show his hands. Officials said Solis Klarks got an assault rifle from his car and aimed it at one of the troopers.
Troopers and Solis Klarks exchanged gunfire, and as he ran toward the interstate entrance ramp, another trooper fired more rounds and hit Solis Klarks in the legs.
Solis Klarks was taken into custody and received medical treatment. No troopers were injured in the incident.
“This defendant has been held accountable because of the professionalism of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation,” said District Attorney Charme Allen.
Solis Klarks was convicted of attempted first-degree murder, and he was ordered on Thursday to serve 18 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
