Gunshot victim involved in crash identified as Austin East High School student

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Knoxville Police Department is investigating after a crash led them to a gunshot victim Friday afternoon.

The victim, a 16-year-old boy has been pronounced dead following a reported shooting and crash in East Knoxville. Police identified the teen as an Austin-East Magnet High School student.

“The preliminary investigation indicates that the victim, a student at Austin-East Magnet High School, was leaving school in his vehicle when shots were fired in the area of Tarleton Avenue. The victim was struck by at least one round before fleeing the scene and crashing on Wilson Avenue. At this time, the victim does not appear to have been the intended target of the shooting,” KPD said in a release.

KPD is asking any parents or students who may have witnessed the incident to contact the Violent Crimes Unit by phone at 865-215-7330 or email at racook@knoxvilletn.gov.

The incident is now being investigated as a homicide.

KPD officers responded to a report of shots fired near Tarleton Avenue Friday at around 3:45 p.m.

Upon arrival, a crash with injuries was reported in the 2500 block of Wilson Avenue. Police said a man, found inside a disabled vehicle was unresponsive, suffering from at least one gunshot wound.

“Officers attempted to render medical aid on the victim until EMS personnel arrived on scene. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. Violent Crimes Unit investigators and KPD Crash Reconstructionists responded to the scene to begin the investigation, which remains in the preliminary stages,” KPD said in a release.

There is no information on a suspect at this time, KPD said. This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information surrounding the investigation is urged to call the KPD Crime and Drug Hotline at 865-215-7212.

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