Executive Summary
- Martavius Bramlett faces multiple felony charges following a pursuit involving Tennessee Highway Patrol and U.S. Marshals on November 22.
- Police reports state the suspect brandished a firearm during a foot chase, leading officers to classify him as a “deadly threat.”
- A U.S. Marshal utilized a vehicle to strike and disarm the suspect, who was subsequently taken into custody.
A Tennessee man faces multiple felony charges following a high-speed pursuit and foot chase on November 22, during which he was struck by a U.S. Marshals Service vehicle after law enforcement identified him as an armed threat. The incident in Memphis involved coordination between the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and federal agents.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the sequence of events began when a trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Mississippi Boulevard. The trooper reported observing a vehicle cross a double-yellow line and enter the opposing lane of traffic. The driver, identified by authorities as Martavius Bramlett, allegedly refused to yield to the traffic stop, leading to a vehicular pursuit.
The police report indicates that Bramlett eventually abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot. During the chase, the pursuing trooper observed a firearm in the suspect’s hand. The trooper noted in the official report an intention to utilize “deadly force” upon determining it was practical to do so without endangering bystanders, citing the immediate danger presented by the armed suspect.
A U.S. Marshal, who was assisting in the pursuit, intervened by striking the suspect with a government vehicle. According to the arrest affidavit, this action caused Bramlett to drop his weapon. Both the trooper and the Marshal classified the suspect as “a deadly threat” at the moment of intervention. Following the impact, authorities state that Bramlett attempted to flee again but was quickly apprehended and taken into custody.
Martavius Bramlett has been charged with aggravated assault, possession of marijuana, intentionally evading arrest, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Use of Force and Judicial Proceedings
This incident underscores the dynamic nature of interagency law enforcement operations, particularly when traffic stops escalate into armed confrontations involving federal assets. The utilization of a vehicle to neutralize an armed subject reflects the split-second decisions officers make when assessing ‘deadly threats’ in populated areas. As the investigation proceeds, the judicial focus will likely center on the details of the engagement and the evidentiary findings regarding the weapon recovery. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
