KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — From Oct. 17 through Nov. 22, no one shot and killed another person within Knoxville city limits, according to Knoxville Police Department data.
That changed the week of Thanksgiving. KPD responded to three deadly shootings. At least four people were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds.
"It's difficult to say when or why these things may happen," said Lakenya Middlebrook, the Knoxville Community Safety Officer. "But, it's important for us every time that we rally as a community to support those who have lost their loved ones."
On Nov. 23, police said they found 49-year-old Frank Vinson dead outside of a home on Fifth Avenue.
At least two others were shot, although KPD said their injuries were not life-threatening.
On Nov. 24, KPD found 27-year-old Martel Thomas dead in a car on McConnell Street. They said the Thanksgiving shooting appeared to be targeted.
Thomas had just moved to Knoxville from Detroit.
On Nov. 27, KPD found two people dead inside a home on Graves Street with apparent gunshot wounds. The department hasn't released many details about their deaths.
"Unfortunately, sometimes, there may be things that happen that we could not anticipate or did not see coming," Middlebrook said. "It's important for us to try every single time to interrupt the cycles of violence where we can."
She said she hopes her team's prevention work will become a long-term solution for the city.
"We did not get to these places overnight and we will not solve these issues overnight. It has to be consistent, persistent effort and coordinated collaborative efforts by our entire community," she said. "These are people in our community who we've lost... It's devastating and heartbreaking."