Tucker Blakely’s widow files lawsuit against widow of shooting suspect

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — The widow of slain Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputy Tucker Blakely filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the widow of the suspect who fatally shot Blakely, claiming she was responsible for the incident and the firearm used.

The suit, which was filed in Knox County on Monday, names Angela Rose as the defendant in the case. Tucker Blakely’s widow, Katarina Blakely , is being represented by attorney T. Scott Jones.

Angela Rose is the widow of shooting suspect Matthew Rose , 30, who died after a shootout with KCSO deputies on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023 when they responded to a domestic incident call in the Hardin Valley area of West Knox County. Tucker Blakely, 29, died Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 after being shot Sunday night.

Now, almost a year after the shooting, Katarina Blakely alleges in the suit that Angela Rose’s “negligence and reckless actions” resulted in the death of Tucker Blakely. She is seeking $10 million.

Within the suit, a report from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reveals some details of Angela Rose’s statements to investigators in late October 2023 amid the aftermath of the shooting. Her statements are part of Katarina Blakely’s argument that Angela Rose is responsible for her husband’s death, because Angela Rose knew of her husband’s history of mental illness, violent behavior, and still allowed him at their home despite his conviction of domestic violence and reckless use of a firearm stemming from an August 2023 incident in Michigan. The suit also claims that Angela Rose allowed her husband to have access to her firearms.

The suit also has several police reports as attached exhibits detailing Matthew Rose’s criminal history.

Regarding the lawsuit, T. Scott Jones issued the following statement on Tuesday:

“The tragic events referenced in the recently filed Complaint could have all been avoided had Mrs. Rose exercised even a modicum of good judgment as she through her repeated enabling actions literally set the wheels in motion which directly led to Deputy Blakely’s demise. She not only purchased firearms, she maintained unsecured firearms, she allowed her husband to have access to those firearms and she did all of these in violation of numerous court orders. Court orders are there for a purpose, and she was well aware of her husband’s mental condition and the prohibitions of him being around firearms. Her irresponsibility cannot be masked by assertions of being a victim herself when she had availed herself of Court protection and then chose to voluntarily ignore and disregard the very Orders protecting her and her family. This tragedy was avoidable and while she did not pull the trigger herself, she clearly metaphorically loaded the offending weapon and allowed the gun she purchased to be used multiple times by her husband whom she knew was a danger to himself, her family and ultimately the public at large.“

Attorney T. Scott Jones, representing Katarina Blakely, wife of late Tucker Blakely

If you or someone you know is involved in a domestic violence situation, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit their website at www.thehotline.org .

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