Thomas Feminella Obituary, Death: TBI identifies suspect fatally shot by Bartlett police.

Thomas Feminella Obituary, Death – A man fatally shot by police in Bartlett, Tennessee, on Thursday has been identified as 30-year-old Thomas Feminella. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is currently leading an inquiry into the officer-involved shooting, which occurred during a response to a shoplifting report at a local Walmart.

According to information released by TBI, the incident unfolded just before 6 p.m. on May 22, 2025. Bartlett Police Department officers were dispatched to a Walmart located in the 8400 block of Highway 64 to respond to a shoplifting call. While officers were handling the initial report, they noticed a second individual—later identified as Thomas Feminella—who appeared to be leaving the area on foot.

Officers approached Feminella in connection with the suspected theft. As they attempted to engage with him, authorities say Feminella produced a knife and began advancing toward the officers. Despite multiple commands from the officers to drop the weapon, Feminella allegedly refused to comply.

The situation escalated quickly as Feminella continued moving toward the officers with the knife in hand. The TBI reports that two of the responding officers discharged their firearms, striking Feminella near a neighboring business close to the Walmart premises.

Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, and Feminella was transported to a nearby hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

No officers were injured during the confrontation, according to statements released by law enforcement. Authorities have not disclosed how many shots were fired or the precise distance between Feminella and the officers at the time they opened fire.

As is standard in cases involving the use of deadly force by law enforcement, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation to determine the full sequence of events and assess whether the officers’ actions were justified. The TBI’s independent investigation will examine various aspects of the case, including body camera footage (if available), witness statements, and physical evidence from the scene.

At this stage of the investigation, no further information has been provided about Feminella’s alleged role in the shoplifting incident or whether he had any prior interactions with law enforcement. Authorities have also not confirmed if he made any verbal threats or statements before or during the confrontation.

Incidents involving the use of deadly force by police often spark public interest and concern, particularly when suspects are killed during attempted arrests. TBI has emphasized that its inquiry will be thorough and impartial, and findings will be shared with the appropriate district attorney for review once the investigation is complete.

The Walmart location and nearby businesses experienced a temporary disruption as police secured the scene and began collecting evidence. It is not yet known how many people witnessed the incident, but investigators have encouraged any bystanders who may have seen what happened or who captured the incident on video to come forward.

The officers involved in the shooting have not been publicly identified at this time. It is also unclear whether they are on administrative leave during the investigation, which is typical protocol following officer-involved shootings.

Community members have expressed a mix of emotions in response to the incident, ranging from concern over public safety to questions about police use of force protocols. Local leaders and civil rights advocates often call for transparency in such cases, urging law enforcement agencies to release video footage and detailed findings to the public once investigations are concluded.

The Bartlett Police Department has not yet released a formal statement beyond confirming the TBI’s involvement. The agency is expected to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation and provide additional updates as more details become available.

Thomas Feminella’s background and any potential history with law enforcement remain under review. It is not yet clear whether he was armed with additional weapons or what may have motivated his behavior during the encounter with police.

As the community awaits answers, officials continue to stress the importance of allowing the investigation to run its course. The TBI has reminded the public that its role is to gather facts and present a clear picture of what occurred so that legal authorities can determine whether the officers’ use of force was lawful.

For now, the investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with relevant information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation or Bartlett Police Department.

This tragic event has once again raised the issue of how law enforcement handles encounters with potentially dangerous suspects and the split-second decisions officers must make when faced with possible threats. The outcome of the TBI’s investigation will likely play a key role in shaping public understanding of what happened and how similar situations might be handled in the future.