TBI Investigating after DEA, Bradley County Sheriff's Office Raid Wrong House
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WATE) - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is conducting a review after the Drug Enforcement Administration said it raided the wrong house in Bradley County on Tuesday morning.
WTVC-TV reports the Bradley County Sheriff's Office helped in the raid, in which they were looking for a murder suspect who was actually at the house next door.
In a statement to the Chattanooga ABC affiliate, the DEA said it was sorry for the mix-up. District Attorney General Scott Crump has asked the TBI to investigate.
There was severe damage to the Rencks' home, including broken door frames, dented ceilings and torn clothes. The family says agents threw flash bangs while children slept nearby.
Homeowner Spencer Renck said he thought the SWAT team was an intruder.
"They had their guns drawn at me and I had my gun trying to protect my family," he told WTVC. "I didn't know what was going on. I was really close to being killed."
About 20 minutes later, agents realized the problem and found the real suspect next door. While the sheriff's office would not discuss the incident, the DEA said it was working with the family to ensure their wellbeing.
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