KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — A 55-year-old man has been jailed on felony assault charges following a violent downtown altercation that culminated in a gunshot being fired near Market Square last night.
Knoxville Police Department officers rushed to the Krutch Park area at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Saturday following multiple reports of a disturbance involving gunfire.
A subsequent investigation by Violent Crime detectives revealed that Walter Greene, 55, engaged in a physical fight with a 29-year-old man. During the brawl, Greene allegedly pulled out a pocket knife and struck the younger man multiple times. In response to the knife attack, the 29-year-old pulled a firearm and discharged a single round directly into the ground.
Police confirmed that no one was struck by the active gunfire or seriously injured during the encounter.
Both individuals were immediately detained at the scene by arriving officers for formal questioning. Following interviews at police headquarters, Greene was officially booked and charged with aggravated assault. The 29-year-old man was released from custody without any criminal charges.
KPD officials emphasized that the incident was entirely isolated to the two parties involved and that there is no ongoing threat to the public or the surrounding downtown shopping district.
