Latest news with #KnoxvillePoliceDepartment
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
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Knoxville police search for missing 13-year-old girl
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A 13-year-old girl went missing from her Knoxville home on May 24, the Knoxville Police Department said. Brailey Carter ran away from her home on Reynolds Street around 2 a.m. on May 24, police said. She was last seen a few hours earlier at 10:30 p.m. USDA inspects livestock for flesh-eating parasite in Strawberry Plains She was last seen dressed entirely in black — jacket, shirt, pants and crocs, according to police. She is about 5'4″ and 110 pounds. People with information on Carter can anonymously 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. This is a developing story. or for updates. Authorities say nearly 400 people go missing in Tennessee each year. That's five people for every 100,000. Check this list of people missing from East Tennessee to see if you can help locate someone. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Overturned tractor trailer on I-40 near Strawberry Plains
STRAWBERRY PLAINS, Tenn. (WATE) — A tractor trailer overturned between the west and east lanes of I-40 near Strawberry Plains and the Holston River Wednesday morning, the Knoxville Fire Department warned. The Knoxville Police Department said no injuries were reported. The Tennessee Department of Transportation SmartWay map shows heavy congestion on both sides of the interstate as of 7:56 a.m. Tennessee football season opener to be broadcast on 6 News 'Avoid the area if possible,' KFD wrote at 7:23 a.m. 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.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Knoxville police hold memorial service for retired officers who died
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knoxville Police Department held their annual memorial service Monday to honor retired officers who had died the past year. This service at the Public Safety Complex honored eight retired KPD officers who had passed away since last year's ceremony in May 2024. Their names are: Investigator Carl Benjamin Officer Phillip Garland, Jr. Captain Kenneth Snyder Investigator Terry Henry Sergeant Holland Morrell Sergeant Robert Ryan Officer Gary Shoffner Lieutenant Nathan Tinder 'We are fortunate, of course, that we didn't have a line-of-duty death here at the Knoxville Police Department last year, amazingly fortunate,' said KPD Communications Manager Scott Erland. 'But we always still want to recognize those folks who dedicated almost the entirety of the better part of their lives to doing this profession and to our community and to our department.' Man convicted of killing woman in 2019 charged with assaulting another woman The ceremony was part of National Police Week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
