Defendant who Fired at Trooper Sentenced to Eighteen Years
DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Major Crimes Unit obtained a conviction against a man who shot at a Trooper following a high-speed chase. Eugenio Abraham Solis-Klarks, 31, was convicted of Attempted First Degree Murder. Judge Scott Green ordered Solis-Klarks to serve eighteen years in prison without the possibility of parole.
In a plea hearing, Deputy District Attorney Sean McDermott and Assistant District Attorney Jordan Murray explained to the court that on January 12, 2025, Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Morgan Snyder observed Solis-Klarks driving 97 miles-per-hour on Interstate 75 northbound in Loudon County. Trp. Snyder caught up to Solis-Klarks who pulled over at a gas station at Exit 81. When asked for his license and registration, Solis-Klarks provided his Guatemalan Consular ID card to Trp. Snyder. THP Troopers Paul Dubroc and Justin Hasse arrived at the traffic stop as backup. While Trp. Snyder was writing the speeding ticket, Solis-Klarks drove away from the gas station and drove onto the interstate. All three troopers pursued Solis-Klarks, who was driving in excess of 100 miles per hour. As they approached the Watt Road exit, Solis-Klarks abruptly changed lanes to take the exit ramp. Only Trp. Dubroc was able to safely change lanes and continue the pursuit up the exit ramp. Solis-Klarks lost control of his vehicle after crossing Watt Road. Trp. Dubroc pulled up to Solis-Klarks’ vehicle and ordered him to show his hands. Solis-Klarks retrieved an assault rifle from his vehicle and aimed it at Trp. Dubroc. Trp. Dubroc and Solis-Klarks exchanged gunfire over the hoods of the vehicles before each retreated around their vehicles. As Solis-Klarks ran toward the interstate entrance ramp where Troopers Snyder and Hasse were driving, Trp. Dubroc fired additional rounds, striking Solis-Klarks in the legs. Troopers took him into custody and immediately began providing medical treatment to Solis-Klarks. 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 DA Allen.
Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Kim Strike and Legal Secretary Connie Watts aided in the prosecution of this case.
If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.