KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A 20-year-old Knoxville man faces multiple charges including attempted second-degree murder after authorities say he fired gunshots Sunday at the Mead's Quarry parking lot.
It's not Joseph Wools' first incident with a gun while allegedly under the influence, records show.
According to the Knoxville Police Department, officers responded to the Mead's Quarry parking lot in South Knoxville around 5:30 p.m. Sunday after a report that a man had fired multiple shots.
According to the department, officers arrived at the scene and spotted a man with a handgun. The man then ran from the parking lot and tossed the gun away, which officers recovered. Wools was arrested by officers after being chased on foot, KPD said.
"Two individuals reported that Wools had shot at them following an argument. Nobody was struck by gunfire and no injuries were reported," KPD said in a press release.
KPD also said that Wools was extremely intoxicated at the time of his arrest.
Wools has been charged with the following:
- Attempted second-degree murder
- Two counts of aggravated assault
- Possession of a firearm while under the influence
- Public intoxication
- Evading arrest
In September 2022, Wools was charged with firing a handgun while at a North Knoxville address near Maynardville Pike. A neighbor told police Wools had fired the gun multiple times while holding an alcoholic beverage.
When police confronted Wools, records state, he was sitting in a vehicle with a handgun in his hand and another gun in his pocket.
Officers could smell alcohol on him and saw near him with a malt liquor drink. Wools said he'd also smoked marijuana that day.
Wools was 19 at the time. Police "determined that the suspect was not shooting safely," records state.
Authorities charged him with reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, among other charges.
He was placed on judicial diversion in Knox County General Sessions Court.
This story will be updated when more information is available.