KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A 16-year-old Knoxville boy faces a homicide charge now in the killing of another 16-year-old last week at a Middlebrook Pike apartment complex.
Authorities have filed reckless homicide and evidence tampering petitions against the unnamed teen in Knox County Juvenile Court. The records are not open to the public, nor are proceedings against the youth.
The defendant is alleged to have killed the teen the morning of Sept. 29 at the Big Oaks apartment complex, 3807 Middlebrook Pike.
When police arrived, they found the victim unresponsive in a breezeway. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
The victim's name hasn't been released because he's under 18.
Police spoke with multiple witnesses after the shooting
Reckless homicide is a charge that essentially means someone killed a person while ignoring the fact that they knew their behavior could pose a "substantial" risk to others. In such circumstances, authorities do not allege that the crime was deliberate.
That contrasts with a first-degree murder charge, which alleges someone intended to kill another.
The suspect already faced prosecution in Juvenile Court on an outstanding, pre-existing juvenile petition. He also has been charged as a juvenile in possession of a firearm.
At least four other teenagers have been shot and killed in Knoxville so far this year.
On March 5, 18-year-old Ricky Waters was shot and killed in Montgomery Village in South Knoxville. No one has been arrested in the death of the Fulton High School student.
On March 28, authorities say 18-year-old Jaqwan Gillette was killed during a marijuana deal. At least two people were charged in his death.
On July 11, a 14-year-old was arrested for fatally shooting a 19-year-old at a home on Mossy Oaks Lane.
On September 2, a 17-year-old was killed in a drive-by shooting on Washington Avenue. No arrests have been made in that death.
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is collecting anonymous tips in all of these unsolved shootings.
You can talk (1-800-222-8477), type (www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org), or tap (on the “P3 Tips” mobile app) your tip to Crime Stoppers and if your tip leads to an arrest you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
