Kingsport police vice unit officers were forced to spring into action and rescue one of their own when an undercover gun deal went bad Tuesday.

It happened along Wateree Street, which runs alongside John Sevier Middle School.

The investigation into illegal narcotics and guns sales has been going on for quite some time through the Kingsport police vice and narcotics unit. After several reports of crimes in the downtown area, police were focused in on one man.

Undercover officers had actually gotten very close to him. "We have been focused on and individual named Devin Gordon," assistant chief David Quillen said. “We have received reports of him and some other individuals that assaulted people in the downtown area."

On Tuesday night an undercover officer made a deal and allegedly purchased firearms from Gordon. As the officer left things took a sudden turn for the worst.

A great deal of detailed planning and many resources go into undercover operations and this time it might have saved an officers life, as ten other officers moved into action.

"We had other cover units that were already in place,” Quillen pointed out. “They responded because we were monitoring the wire. We were immediately able to tell a robbery was being attempted. As a result of that, the other officers moved in."

Gordon and one juvenile were arrested immediately. Ronnie Hill and another juvenile managed to escape the scene. Hill is now in custody and police continue to look for the juvenile.

Due to the number of alleged violations against Devin Gordon the ATF took over on the case. He has been taken to Greenville where he awaits federal charges. Hill and both juveniles will be charged with attempted aggravated robbery.