KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A man is facing up to 20 years in prison for his role in a carjacking that happened in downtown Knoxville back in March.
According to Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen's office on Friday, a jury convicted Tyler Christian, 31, for carjacking and driving on a revoked license after a two-day trial. Judge Steven Sword set sentencing for Sept. 27, and Christian is facing 12 to 20 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
According to the DA's office, the Knoxville Police Department responded to a carjacking in downtown Knoxville at Locust Street and Cafego Place on March 20 around 1 p.m.
KPD said a 40-year-old woman was parked in front of Summit Towers waiting to pick up Christian and another woman, identified as Elizabeth Terry, to take them to the KAT bus station.
When Christian and Terry arrived, prosecutors said Christian approached the driver's door and ripped the woman out of the driver's seat.
The DA's office shared surveillance video of the incident, which you can watch below.
KPD said Terry attacked the victim before jumping into the car. The two drove off and were arrested about an hour later after they crashed the vehicle on Andersonville Pike at Emory Road in Halls, which led to schools locking down in the Halls Crossroads area.
The two tried to run from the crash and were later captured at the Weigel's on Emory Road after the Knox County Sheriff's Office brought out its K-9s and Airwatch helicopter.
“Quick work by the police department took these dangerous offenders off our streets, and hard work by the prosecutors in my office made sure they will stay off our streets for many years,” Allen said.
According to the DA's office, Christian had previous felony convictions for burglary, theft and evading arrest. Allen said they also identified him as a member of the Rollin 20s Crips gang.
Terry pleaded guilty to carjacking and aggravated assault in the case and was sentenced to eight years in prison.