What to Say to 911 After a Self-Defense Shooting in Tennessee

Introduction

It is the absolute worst-case scenario. You were forced to draw your firearm and pull the trigger to save your life. The immediate threat is over, your heart is pounding out of your chest, and your adrenaline is surging.

Now, you have to pick up the phone and dial 911.

What you say in the next 60 seconds will be recorded, transcribed, and dissected word-for-word by detectives, prosecutors, and a grand jury. A single wrong word—spoken while you are in physiological shock—can be twisted around to turn a clear-cut case of self-defense into a second-degree murder indictment.

Do you know what to say? More importantly, do you know what to shut up about? Let’s break down the rules of calling 911 after a critical incident.

The Short Answer

When calling 911 after a self-defense shooting, give only the vital operational facts: state your location, request medical assistance immediately, report that a shooting occurred, describe what you are wearing so responding officers don’t mistake you for the threat, and hang up.

Do not explain the background argument, do not give a detailed play-by-play, and do not make statements about the intruder’s intent.

Rule #1: If Someone Else Is There, Let THEM Call 911

If a family member, bystander, or friend is on the scene with you and is safe, let them make the 911 call.

Why? Because any 911 call made by you will be entered into court as an audio recording of your immediate reaction, emotion, and exact wording. If a bystander makes the call, they are reporting an emergency, which keeps you off the audio recording entirely while you regain control of your breathing and wait for emergency services to arrive.

If they call, tell them to say: “Send an ambulance and police to [address] immediately! Someone has been shot!”

The Golden Script: What TO Say if YOU Make the Call

If you are alone and must make the call yourself, remember that 911 calls are evidence-gathering tools for law enforcement, not a safe space to process your emotions. State these five things and strictly nothing else:

1. Your exact location: “I am at 123 Main Street, send police and an ambulance immediately.”
2. State that a shooting occurred: “There has been a shooting. Someone is injured and needs medical attention.”
3. Establish that you were attacked (briefly): “I was attacked and forced to defend myself.”
4. Describe yourself so officers know who you are: “I am the homeowner. I am a white male wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans.”
5. State that the scene is being made safe: “I am securing my firearm and putting it away.”

Then, tell the dispatcher: “I am hanging up now to render aid and wait for officers.” And hang up.

What NOT to Say on the 911 Call

Your adrenaline will try to force you to talk, justify your actions, or ramble. Resist it. Avoid these critical mistakes:

• ❌ Do NOT say: “I just shot a guy!” (Saying “I shot someone” sounds like an active admission of an assault; stating “there was a shooting” reports the emergency).
• ❌ Do NOT say: “He was threatening me so I blew him away!”
• ❌ Do NOT say: “I didn’t mean to shoot him!” (This destroys a self-defense claim; self-defense is an intentional act of legal justification, not an accident).
• ❌ Do NOT guess at their condition: Don’t say “I think he’s dead.” Just request an ambulance.

The Police Arrival: The Exact Words to Say

When police officers arrive on the scene, their guns will likely be drawn, and you will almost certainly be ordered to the ground and handcuffed. This is standard procedure for officer safety while they secure a violent crime scene. Do not fight it, and do not argue.

Once the scene is secure and an officer begins asking you what happened, recite this exact script:

“Officer, I was afraid for my life, and I’m happy to cooperate with you, but I don’t wish to make a full statement until I have an attorney present.”

Say it clearly. Say it respectfully. Then, stop talking.

Why You Must Wait for an Attorney

When you shoot someone in self-defense, your body dumps massive amounts of adrenaline, cortisol, and adrenaline-fueled brain chemicals into your system. You will experience:

• Tunnel vision and auditory exclusion: You may not remember how many shots were fired or hear things that happened right next to you.
• Time distortion: Seconds will feel like minutes, making your estimation of time totally inaccurate.
• Memory gaps: It takes 24 to 48 hours and a full cycle of sleep for your brain to consolidate memories accurately after a traumatic event.

If you give a detailed statement to police while in shock, your timeline will likely be inconsistent with physical evidence or bodycam footage. Prosecutors will use those minor inconsistencies to claim you are lying to cover up a crime.

About the Author

David G. Ridings is a Nashville criminal defense attorney, former police officer, and former prosecutor with nearly 40 years of experience in the Tennessee justice system. Known as “DrJudge,” he educates hundreds of thousands about their rights during police encounters.

Call to Action

If you were involved in a critical self-defense encounter or facing weapon charges in Tennessee: 👉 Don’t talk. Call 1-888-DRJUDGE