Latest news with #KPD
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Police seek help to solve 2023 murder of Chris Hill in West Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knoxville Police Department is asking for information that could help solve a 2023 murder case to come forward. Officers responded to 218 E. Depot Avenue on December 13, 2023, where they found 51-year-old Chris Hill unresponsive. He had been shot multiple times and died at the scene. Babalu on Gay Street closing for the second time Nearly a year and a half later, no arrests have been made in the case. During the investigation, detectives determined that the morning of the shooting, a gray Toyota 4Runner was stolen from outside a West Knoxville home after it was left running. Later that day, Hill was working as a plumber on Boright Drive. 'Surveillance video revealed that there was a Toyota 4Runner that appeared to be driving, circulating through the neighborhood, watching the work truck, and then ultimately followed him down onto Depot Avenue,' Scott Erland with KPD said. 'When Mr. Hill got out of his truck, an individual got out of that 4Runner and shot Chris Hill multiple times.' $2,000 reward offered for information in 2023 West Knoxville fatal shooting The 4Runner was later found abandoned. Investigators are still working to find out why the shooting happened. 'This was, by all appearances, a targeted shooting, but we don't really totally know why that was the case, why Chris Hill would have been targeted,' Erland said. Now investigators are turning to the public. Former Knoxville Police Chief Phil Keith said no piece of information is too small. 'Most cases that we solve are dependent on citizen input, citizen witnesses, and no one should ever think that because they know very little it may not help, because it's like a big jigsaw puzzle,' Keith explained. He said keeping the case in the public eye is also important, because sometimes those with information don't realize they have it until later on. 'Any little tidbit of information often leads to a break in the cases, and of course the media. Nationwide the media is a huge player in that role,' he said. Lonely Bones: Stories of the Forgotten Dead Anyone with information that could help investigators is urged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible to receive a reward of up to $2,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Three teens charged after guns found in stolen car, Knoxville police say
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knoxville Police Department took three teenagers into custody Sunday on auto theft and weapons charges. Just before 6 p.m., a man told police that he had found a stolen KIA Optima belonging to his father by the Walmart on Kinzel Way, KPD said. Officers went to the location where the witness described the occupants of the vehicle. Landlord charged with reckless endangerment after tenants say he fired gun Police captured one of the suspects, a 16-year-old boy, near the Walmart entrance after he attempted to run from them, KPD wrote. The officers also found two other suspects, 17 and 19, inside the store. The oldest suspect ran out of the store and across the parking lot before officers caught up to him at a gas station, police say. He and the 16-year-old face charges of evading arrest as well. Inside the car police found two loaded handguns and a drum magazine with .40 caliber rounds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Knoxville Police ask public's help identifying man who reportedly assaulted a woman
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knoxville Police Department posted seeking the public's help identifying a man who they say reportedly assaulted a woman. The woman, 20, was assaulted early on Saturday at an apartment at Union Knoxville on Cumberland Avenue, according to the KPD. She received significant injuries to her face and was taken to East Tennessee Children's Hospital for treatment, police say. Multiple people injured in block party shooting, DA's office says The police said the suspect's first name may be Jackson. KPD asked people with information to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers. There are multiple ways you can provide anonymous information to Crime Stoppers. You can call 865-215-7165 or **TIPS, and go online at via the free mobile app, P3 Tips, or the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers Facebook page. Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Knoxville Police seek public's help identifying man after vehicle burglaries
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knoxville Police Department posted Monday afternoon seeking information about a man they suspect of burglarizing multiple vehicles. On May 8, someone burglarized multiple commercial vehicles parked on the 1900 block of Southerland Avenue, police say. KPD suspects the man pictured below. Remembering David Hodson: Knoxville veteran who led 150 Marines to Iraq and back dies at 76 KPD asked people who recognize the man to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers. There are multiple ways you can provide anonymous information to Crime Stoppers. You can call 865-215-7165 or **TIPS, and go online at via the free mobile app, P3 Tips, or the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers Facebook page. Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Father of accuser in case of teacher charged with rape speaks out on victim advocacy
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A family member of the person accusing a West High School teacher and coach of aggravated statutory rape is speaking out. After he was arrested last week, 32-year-old Chad Brooks was indicted on 16 counts of aggravated statutory rape and statutory rape by an authority figure. Knox County Schools placed Brooks on unpaid leave, and are not renewing his contract for the next school year. While all 16 counts against Brooks list a single person, KPD is urging anyone impacted by this case, or anyone who is aware of possible victims to come forward. In talking to this person's father, he said as upset as he is at the situation, he is placing his trust in the victim advocacy groups to bring his daughter justice. West High teacher facing statutory rape charges placed on administrative leave 'Being a dad the first thing that hits my mind is rage and, I guess, violent thoughts,' he said. 'I spoke with one of the special unit, the Knoxville Police Department Special Crimes Division officer, and he kind of reassured me to just let them do their job, and they'd get a handled for me.' After KPD started their investigation into Brooks back in April, the West High School student's dad said he was relieved to learn Brooks was arrested. 'Charges have been brought against him and he's going to be prosecuted for what is done and just basically just trying to be there for her, walking step-by-step with her the whole way,' he said. He said it is the groups like KPD's Special Victims Unit that have helped them in this process. Other victim advocacy groups like the Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee said they are here for these kinds of situations. 'We could get anywhere from one to 10 calls or more every single day,' said the McNabb Center Victim Services Director Lacy Bradley. Bradley added they average almost a thousand hotline calls a year, and preform around 300 sexual assault nurse examiner, or SANE exams, across East Tennessee. 'We work alongside all of the community partners that need to be a part of this to figure out where we're going to go and how we can keep our city safe, our city safer,' said Bradley. 'Our students and our children, women out taking a jog, in our schools, we want to provide prevention as we can and as is requested.' Tennessee State Veterinarian issues alert for flesh-eating parasite Whether it is working with police departments, families, or schools, they say they hope to provide a safe space for victims to find support. The accuser's father also hopes groups like these encourage those who may be victims of these crimes to come forward. 'I would just encourage any of them to feel free to reach out to the Knoxville Police Department. They've been a great help with us as far as having support for my daughter, and advocating for her,' he said. 'I would definitely encourage any other victims regarding this case or any other case of sexual abuse to definitely step forward.' Despite the fact Brooks will not be returning to West High School, the father said he finds comfort in the fact his daughter will soon be graduating. ▶ See more top stories on KPD is urging anyone who may be impacted by this case or who is aware of possible child abuse or statutory rape to call their special crimes unit at 865-215-6810 or visit them at the Knoxville Family Justice Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
