An investigation is on-going in a road rage incident involving a gun in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which leads to the arrest of three people.
Authorities say the incident involved a firearm being shot along the Spur yesterday (Thursday) morning.
GSMNP law enforcement rangers responded to the shooting on the southbound Spur near the Gatlinburg Bypass intersection and say fortunately there were no reported injuries.
The involved vehicle was found at a hotel in Pigeon Forge and three suspects were taken into custody.
UPDATE 2 : Demetrius Johnson turned himself in this evening and is now in custody.
UPDATE 1: KPD officers are actively attempting to find Demetrius Johnson, 17. Johnson was identified as a suspect in the shooting that happened on Tuesday night in the 1900 block of Minnesota Avenue, when two 17-year-old males were wounded.
Johnson has been charged on juvenile petitions with three counts of attempted first-degree murder, five counts of reckless endangerment and one count of aggravated child abuse and neglect.
Efforts to locate Johnson have been unsuccessful so far.
Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts is urged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers anonymously at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can be eligible to receive a cash reward.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With 30 days remaining until kickoff, a deep and talented tight end room took the stage on day two of fall camp.
Third-year tight ends coach Alec Abeln spoke with the media following Thursday’s practice at Haslam Field, discussing the depth, chemistry, and versatility of his unit after two days of preseason camp.
“I think we put a lot on them through spring and through summer. They’ve done a good job investing and making sure, one, just alignment assignment and understanding what they’re being asked to do is really good. Obviously, through two days – we’ll find out more as this camp gets going – but like the way that they’ve prepared and what they’ve done mentally to put themselves in position for a really good camp.”
With Miles Kitselman back for his second season on Rocky Top and sixth year overall, Abeln discussed the impact of his leadership on the rest of the tight end group.
“I think his actions follow his words. I think he’s authentic with it. It’s not ‘rah rah’. It’s not coming from a place of ‘look at me’. It’s all about, ‘how can we get better as a team?’ I think part of it helps when you play the way that he did in the fall. Guys look up to that and say, ‘man, I want to be a good player. Here’s a good player doing things the way that we’re asking him to do it, doing it with a great attitude and enthusiasm every day.’ It’s hard not to want to follow a guy that does those things.”
Full comments from Abeln’s Thursday press conference can be viewed below.
Tight End Coach Alec Abeln Media Availability (7.31.25)
Opening statement… “Good first day, a bunch of individual and some group work focus. The key to this whole thing is not making the same mistake twice and continuing to get better.”
On Miles Kitselman having a new attitude and energy heading into sixth year…
“I wouldn’t necessarily say new. He’s always approached it that way. I think it’s a credit to him. We understand that nothing happens by accident. Things fall in place in ways you might not necessarily expect, but he’s been grateful for every opportunity since the day that he got here, so I wouldn’t say that’s changed a whole lot, but it’s certainly nice to have him in the room.”
On what he has seen out of the top four guys thus far…
“I think we put a lot on them through spring and through summer. They’ve done a good job investing and making sure, one, just alignment assignment and understanding what they’re being asked to do is really good. Obviously, through two days – we’ll find out more as this camp gets going – but like the way that they’ve prepared and what they’ve done mentally to put themselves in position for a really good camp.”
On if there was a moment Ethan Davis began to understand the complexity of the tight end position…
“Yeah, 100 percent. There were flashes of it a lot last year and just getting it to be on a consistent basis where he has all the ability in the world and he knows it. It’s one of those things, especially in the core, when you feel what it’s supposed to feel like and get used to feeling that, I think that helps guys be more consistent with it where a lot of times guys are putting in a bunch of work and really straining to get right with the technique, and they may not even realize it’s wrong until once they feel it right, then it kind of clicks for them. I think the more you can feel it right, the more it becomes second nature.”
“Like you would expect Miles to, he’s pissed at me half the time because he wants to do more. He’s going to push that as hard as he can. He’s ahead of schedule doing a great job with it but just like you’d expect him to do it.”
On Miles Kitselman stepping up more vocally and his leadership difference from last season…
“Yeah, I think so. I mean, it’s tough when you come in as a transfer because the first job you have to do is earn the trust and respect of your teammates. I think part of him is feeling more comfortable in just earning their trust. I think he clearly established that he’s a guy we can count on during the fall and understands there’s space for leadership this year. This team has taken it to heart.”
On the rest of the tight end room relying on Kitselman and believing in his leadership capability…
“I think his actions follow his words. I think he’s authentic with it. It’s not ‘rah rah’. It’s not coming from a place of ‘look at me’. It’s all about, ‘how can we get better as a team?’ I think part of it helps when you play the way that he did in the fall. Guys look up to that and say, ‘man, I want to be a good player. Here’s a good player doing things the way that we’re asking him to do it, doing it with a great attitude and enthusiasm every day.’ It’s hard not to want to follow a guy that does those things.”
On the transition for DaSaahn Brame from spring to now…
“I think, you know, it’s really tough coming in because you want to go prove it and you want to go compete. He’s competitive as hell and being held back a lot of the spring, I think that’s really tough mentally. Especially, your transition to college, you’ve got a lot of other things going on. The one thing you really love to do and want to do, you can’t do it the way that you want to. I think when he got kind of reintroduced towards the back half of spring ball, there were a couple of days where it’s, ‘oh man, I’m behind,’ and a little bit of that sits in. I think looking back, man, what a blessing. The summer he has had as far as how detailed he’s been and the work he’s put in. All the stuff to get caught up, where he doesn’t feel that way, and fall camp has been really good for him. I think as pads come on, that will be a transition for everybody, but I’m excited about where he is and just what he’s going to bring to the table.”
“I don’t know if surprise would be the right word, but I think one, it’s credit to the program down in Southlake Carroll and the way that they prepare guys. Just his level of understanding of what college football looks like mentally and physically. He came out during mat drills and was a freaking dog. I mean tug of war champ down the line. I don’t know if he lost a tug of war all freaking pre-spring. Another guy that just shows up to work every day, knows his job, plays really hard and wants to be great. Really excited about Jack.”
“He’s a lot like Kits [Miles Kitselman], where I don’t know if he gets enough credit in the route, and I think last year, obviously, his senior year of high school he played mainly defensive end. You’ll see flashes on his tape as a junior and sophomore, he’s not nothing with the ball in his hands, and he understands, I think in the route, so much of winning in the route is understanding what you’re getting, what the picture is, what the leverage is and how much space I have. I think he’s going to be a guy that can absolutely get open for us and do some things in space.”
On what his focus is on to get freshman ready for the season and if it is hard to prepare them…
“You certainly ask a lot of these guys, and they’ve got to know it all, they’ve got to be able to do it all (with) just the way that we play. I think everybody comes in at a different spot and it’s just kind of figuring out where guys are at, what they need and how they learn best. Some guys are true, get out signal to them and walk through all the time. Other guys would rather watch ball and truly grind on watching the tape. Really just figuring out one, where a guy is when he comes in the building, and two, what’s the best way for him to learn and best way for him to get caught up.”
“I mean big jumps, and like I said earlier, it’s just being consistent with it. He’s absolutely capable of being a dominant player in the core. Knowing what to do for sure was step one. I think he’s gotten to a point now where, man, really pretty assignment sound. Now it’s about getting banked reps of what it’s supposed to feel like. And then, obviously, effort is the paint that covers up bad carpentry and if it isn’t perfect, if it’s not exactly right, just straining (and) finishing with everything he’s got.”
Tiptonville, TN (WOKI) A manhunt is now underway for a suspected quadruple murderer wanted out of Lake County in Northwest Tennessee.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has obtained warrants for 28-year-old Austin Robert Drummond charging him with four counts of First Degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Kidnapping among other charges.
The warrants come after the discovery of four bodies overnight Tuesday in Tiptonville. TBI officials later confirming the bodies were family, including her mother and father, to a baby girl abandoned Tuesday afternoon in Dyer County.
“At this time, Drummond remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous,” the TBI said. “Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts is asked to call 731-415-7962, 731-333-0811, or 1-800-TBI-FIND.”
According to Danny Goodman, Dyer and Lake County District Attorney, this act was not random, and the community is not in danger.
“This is a deeply saddening day for our community,” said Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box. “We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served.”
Deputies were called to a home in Dyer County, where a seven-month-old girl in a car seat was abandoned in a stranger’s yard on Tuesday afternoon.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Eleven people with outstanding warrants are arrested this week during a property crime crackdown operation in Knoxville and Knox County.
Knoxville Police Department officials announcing Thursday that the operation, conducted Tuesday and Wednesday with the assistance of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Department of Corrections’ (TDOC) Parole and Probation, resulted in the arrest of 11 individuals with outstanding warrants to include five individuals with felony theft charges and three people with violations of probation or parole for previous property crime charges.
KPD says the two-day operation is a part of its ongoing efforts to proactively address persistent property crimes and repeat offenders.
Before the operation began, detectives and crime analysts with KPD’s Property Crimes Unit worked with KCSO and TDOC to identify individuals with outstanding warrants relating to property crimes. During the search, there was also a focus on individuals who were on parole or probation.
Knoxville Police singled out one person arrested during the operation, 34-year-old Zachary Littleton, sharing that he had eight outstanding warrants, which included charges of felony theft, felony evading arrest, and assault on a first responder.
“Property crimes impact quality of life and the sense of safety in our community,” KPD Deputy Chief and Investigations Bureau Commander Joe McHale said. “We take our mission to prevent those crimes and address the individuals who commit them seriously. I greatly appreciate our officers and partners for their collaborative and intentional efforts to plan and execute this operation, which will undoubtedly prevent future property crimes.”
ATLANTA – Tennessee veteran defensive lineman Bryson Eason was named to the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List on Thursday.
The redshirt senior was one of a record 116 nominees for this year’s award, which recognizes college football players from across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) who exemplify community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement.
Widely regarded as college football’s premier award for community service, the Wuerffel Trophy celebrates student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and create positive change. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and University of Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who turned his football success into a lifelong mission of service, the award reflects his legacy of leadership and humanitarianism. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the trophy’s founding.
Eason enters his sixth and final season with the Volunteers after opting to return for one more year following a productive 2024 season that saw him start all 13 games and finish with 24 total tackles and a career-high seven tackles for loss while helping lead UT to its first College Football Playoff appearance.
The Memphis native represented the Vols at SEC Media Days in mid-July and is one of the undisputed team leaders entering this season. Eason is also a nominee for the 2025 Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team thanks to his involvement in the community.
The 2025 Wuerffel Trophy finalists and winner will be selected by a national voting committee, with input from a fan vote. The 2025 recipient will also serve as Captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on Dec. 12, airing on ESPN. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will follow on Jan. 31, 2026, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
The full watch list for this year’s Wuerffel Trophy can be found HERE. A comprehensive list of preseason honors for Tennessee players and coaches can be seen below.
Jermod McCoy, DB, Jr. Jim Thorpe Award Watch List Nagurski Trophy Watch List Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List First Team All-American (Athlon, PFF, Walter Camp) First Team All-SEC (Athlon, Media)
Jackson Ross, P, R-Jr. Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Knoxville –As of Wednesday, July 30, 2025, there are 82,848 active registered voters in the city of Knoxville that are eligible to vote in the 2025 City of Knoxville Primary Election. A breakdown of the number of active registered voters in each Knoxville City Council district is as follows:
1st District – 12,012
2nd District – 20,053
3rd District – 17,579
4th District – 19,601
6th District – 13,603
TOTAL: 82,848
NOTE: There are a total of 97,274 active registered voters in the City of Knoxville, but 14,426 reside in the 5th City Council District, and cannot vote in the 2025 City of Knoxville Primary Election.
EARLY VOTING
Early voting begins Wednesday, August 6th at 12 p.m. at six (6) locations across the city of Knoxville.
The locations are:
DOWNTOWN City County Building, Small Assembly Room (400 Main Street)
WEST Downtown West (1645 Downtown West Blvd., Unit 40)
EAST Eternal Life Harvest Center at Five Points (2410 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.)
NORTHWEST Knoxville Expo Center (5441 Clinton Highway)
SOUTH Meridian Baptist Church (6513 Chapman Highway)
NORTHEAST New Harvest Park (4775 New Harvest Lane)
Hours are generally 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. There are a handful of exceptions to the standard hours, and all details can be viewed at www.knoxvotes.org.
The first day (Wednesday, August 6), and all Wednesdays, all locations will open at 12 noon. On those days, all locations except Meridian Baptist in south Knoxville will be open until 7 pm (Meridian will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays).
LAKE COUNTY, TN (WMC – Story Courtesy of WVLT) – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says one or more suspects are being sought after the overnight discovery of four bodies in Northwest Tennessee, which has since been connected to an abandoned infant case.
According to Danny Goodman, Dyer and Lake County District Attorney, this act was not random, and the community is not in danger.
“There doesn’t need to be a lot of concern in the community as far as their safety. This appears to be an isolated incident,” he said.
Goodman went on to say more about those involved, “It’s not that these people were randomly chosen. So, I don’t think there needs to be any kind of concern or fear in the community.”
The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office says this seven-month-old girl was abandoned by an unknown vehicle on a stranger’s lawn on July 29, hours before her mother, father, grandmother and uncle were found murdered about 40 miles away in the neighboring Lake County.(Dyer County Sheriff’s Office)
A TBI spokesperson confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the deaths are being considered homicides and that investigators are working to develop information on the suspect(s) responsible.
The four bodies were found Tuesday night on Carrington Road in Tiptonville, located in Lake County, approximately 40 miles away from where a seven-month-old girl was dropped off in a Dyer County yard.
The Dyer County District Attorney’s Office has identified the victims as the baby’s father, 21-year-old Matthew Wilson; mother, 20-year-old Adrianna Williams; maternal grandmother, 38-year-old Cortney Rose; and maternal uncle, 15-year-old Braydon Williams.
The TBI and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have been requested to respond to assist with this case.
“This is a deeply saddening day for our community,” said Dyer Co. Sheriff Jeff Box. “We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served.”
Around 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dyer Co. deputies were called to a home in the area of Old Highway 20 near Tigrett, where a seven-month-old girl in a car seat was abandoned in a stranger’s yard.
The witness called 911, and the child was taken to the hospital to be checked out.
Before the tragic update from the neighboring agency, Dyer County deputies said they were searching for the baby’s parents and grandmother because they were believed to be possibly involved in the abandonment case.
Audio from Dyer County 911 reveals that a call came in at 10:26 p.m. Tuesday reporting Rose and her daughter missing. The dispatcher can be heard in the audio saying that the caller was actively searching around a home with a flashlight.
The circumstances regarding the family members’ deaths remain unknown at this time.
The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to resolving both the abandoned infant case and the ongoing investigation at the crime scene. We will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. Please remember everyone in your prayers.
Partial statement, Dyer County Sheriff’s Office
Lake County Sheriff Bryan Avery released the following statement, noting that the TBI will be taking over:
“This remains a very active and ongoing investigation, and we want to assure the public that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is leading this case with the highest level of diligence and professionalism.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends, families, and the entire community impacted by this tragic situation. We know this is a difficult time, and we stand with you.
We are grateful to all the agencies and individuals who are working tirelessly on this investigation. Your dedication and commitment to justice do not go unnoticed.
Out of respect for the integrity of the investigation, we will defer any questions or requests for updates to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
We will continue to support their efforts and provide assistance as needed.
Lake County Sheriff Bryan Avery
If you have any information related to this incident, please contact the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office at 731-285-2802.
KNOXVILLE, TN (Story courtesy of WVLT) – Two people have been charged after a child told authorities he would allegedly get locked in a dog kennel for misbehaving and get hit with a metal pole.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office said 911 received a report Tuesday morning about two small children standing in the wood line in the 3000 block of Clear Springs Road at around 7:23 a.m.
Deputies responded to the area and saw the two kids walking around the road without an adult. They determined the children, both of whom were around six years old, lived at a nearby home with 27-year-old Jason Hoffer and 28-year-old Amber Hoffer.
27-year-old Jason Hoffer and 28-year-old Amber Hoffer(KCSO)
According to warrants obtained by WVLT News, one of the children had severe bruising on his leg, and they both told deputies they were hungry and had not eaten.
Deputies went to the home, and during the investigation, detectives determined there were seven children living there in “very deplorable and uninhabitable conditions.” The warrant said there was trash all over the floor and feces smeared on the walls and in the bathroom sink. Additionally, there was no running water in the home.
The children, all aged between one-month-old and seven-years-old, were taken to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital for evaluation.
While at the hospital, the warrant said DCS and deputies spoke to the children. One of the children said Jason would keep him in a “cage” in the middle of the living room if he got in trouble and padlock it. He would also allegedly hit the child with a metal pole through the cage. That child, authorities said, had “severe welts” on his hip and bruises on his buttocks and shoulders that “appear to have been from an assault.”
The child said he escaped the cage that morning and told another child to leave the home with him, leading to them being found near the road, the warrant said.
Authorities went back to the home, according to the warrant, and found the metal dog kennel. There were no pets living inside or outside the home.
Jason Hoffer was charged with one count of child endangerment and one count of aggravated child abuse (Haley’s Law). Amber Hoffer was charged with two counts of child endangerment. They are being held at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility.
DCS removed the children from the home, KCSO said.
UPDATE: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Silver Alert for missing Middle Tennessee man 83-year-old Robert Stidham has ended.
He has been found safe in Sevier County.
ORIGINAL STORY: #TNSilverAlert We need your help to find Robert Stidham, who is missing from Wilson County.
The 83-year-old is 5’11”, 280 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen driving to Gallatin at 10:00 a.m. CST.
He may be driving a black 2022 Honda HRV with the TN license plate 440BBYV. His car was last seen heading northbound at 8:30 p.m. EST on Rutledge Pike at the Blaine, TN city limits.
Robert was last seen wearing a light-colored t-shirt, gray joggers, and tan boat shoes. He has medical conditions that may impair his ability to return safely without assistance.
If you have seen Robert or have information about his whereabouts, please contact the Mt. Juliet Police Department at 615-754-2550 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
For more details on this alert, TBI’s Silver Alert program, and more resources, download the TBI Find App! tbi.pub/TBIFindApp
