The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Posted: Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:03 PM
Knoxville Drug Deal Turned Robbery Turns Deadly
On Thursday morning, KPD said the shooting resulted as part of a drug deal turned robbery. Police also recovered "a sizeable sum of money" from the crime scene.
According to police, the shooting occurred on the 3900 block of Porter Ave at about 2:17 p.m. Law enforcement discovered one victim on scene with a life-threatening gunshot wound. He was transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Police said the 20-year-old victim died as a result of his injuries.
Earlier on Wednesday, police said they were looking for four potential suspects. The department announced on Wednesday night that one suspect, identified as David Avon Howell III, was detained and later charged with felony murder. He is being held on a $300,000 bond.
A press release from the KPD said that the victim and a friend agreed to meet other individuals on Porter Avenue to engage in an illegal drug deal. During the deal, police said a robbery was committed in which the victim was shot. The release said a sizable sum of money was found at the crime scene.
Police have not released further information on other potential suspects, but did say that other persons of interest were being interviewed.
Anyone with any information is asked to call KPD at 865-215-7212. The investigation is ongoing.
