A Knoxville woman is charged with first-degree murder in connection to a shooting that happened at a Knox County apartment.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office called to an apartment on Oak Valley Drive Sunday night for a shooting. They found a man with a gunshot wound, he was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.
29-year-old Alexandria Pastor-Light admitted to shooting the victim in the face after making him take his clothes off in the bedroom.
She was taken into custody and charged. The investigation is still underway.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UT Sports) — After a record-breaking display on Saturday against Chattanooga, the Southeastern Conference office announced Monday that Tennessee redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was selected as SEC Co-Freshman of the Week.
Iamaleava, making his second career start and first in Neyland Stadium, set a Tennessee school record for passing yards in a half (314) to lead the No. 15 Vols to a 69-3 season-opening victory over the Mocs. The signal caller opened the game 10-of-10 for 159 yards and two touchdowns and finished 22-of-28 for 314 yards with three touchdowns and no picks — all in the first half as UT built a 45-0 lead at the break.
The first-half passing yards broke the previous program record of 313 set by Tyler Bray in the first half vs. Troy on Nov. 3, 2012. Iamaleava’s performance was the fourth 300-yard passing total in a half in Tennessee history.
Iamaleava was the first UT freshman – redshirt or true – to start at quarterback in a season opener since 2004. His 78.6 completion percentage was the sixth-best in the country for Week 1 and the best by any freshman in the nation.
The Long Beach, California, native is Tennessee’s first SEC Freshman of the Week honoree since running back Dylan Sampson was recognized on Nov. 28, 2022. During the Josh Heupel era (2021-present), Tennessee has compiled 31 SEC weekly honors — including four Freshman of the Week awards.
SEC Weekly Awards – Week 1
Co-Offensive Player of the Week Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Defensive Player of the Week Keon Sabb, DB, Alabama
Co-Special Teams Player of the Week Peyton Woodring, PK, Georgia Tyler Keltner, PK, Oklahoma
Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week Cameron Williams, OT, Texas Fernando Carmona Jr., OL, Arkansas
Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week Kyle Kennard, DE, South Carolina Dylan Stewart, DE, South Carolina
Co-Freshman of the Week Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
Tennessee Football – 2024 SEC Weekly Honors (1)
SEC Freshman of the Week (1) Nico Iamaleava (vs. Chattanooga, 8/31)
The Knoxville Fire Department is investigating a commercial fire in Fountain City.
Crews were called to a possible fire near Casey’s on Tazewell Pike yesterday (Monday) afternoon and found heavy smoke coming from the rear of the shopping center at the Retreat Massage and Skin Care Center.
Firefighters found a fire in a hallway space and quickly put it out. However, business has suffered moderate, fire, smoke, and water damage. Other businesses in the same building also suffered moderate smoke damage.
The business was closed at the time of the call and was not occupied.
The Knoxville Fire department is investigating a Labor Day house fire in East Knoxville.
Crews were called to the 4000 block of Catalpa Avenue yesterday morning and found heavy fire and smoke coming from two windows of the house. A fire was discovered in a bedroom and crews quickly put the fire out but the home has suffered significant smoke, water, and fire damage.
Four people, two adults and two children, were at home at the time of the fire and were able to escape without injury. Two adults and two children were in the home.
The American Red Cross is providing assistance to those residents.
Update: An arrest is made after Knoxville Police find a man in his bed with a pick-axe stuck in his skull.
KPD was called to a home in the 1000 block of Morrell Road on Sunday and found the victim who is in critical condition. Witnesses told police the suspect, Jeinison Hernandez-Moran, hit the victim multiple times with the axe, then fled but turned himself into police at the scene. It’s believed he knows the victim.
He is charged with attempted second-degree murder. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Original Story: The Knoxville Police Department is investigating an assault in West Knoxville leaving a victim is in critical condition.
The assault happened at a home in the 1000 block of Morrell Road on Sunday and KPD says the victim was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
Additionally, a suspect, later identified at Jeinson Hernandez-Moran, and several witnesses were detained for questioning.
Hernandez-Moran was charged with attempted second-degree murder.
KPD says the assault doesn’t appear to be random in nature as the victim and suspect, both of whom are adult men, knew each other.
Today (Sunday), Tennessee Highway Patrol Troopers S. Goode and S. Kearney assisted the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office in apprehending Johnna Miracle. Miracle had been placed on the @TBInvestigation’s Most Wanted List for Attempted 1st Degree Murder.
This comes after a woman was shot and stabbed in the Shawanee Community Wednesday, who was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Sheriff Bob Brooks says an arrest warrant was issued for Miracle for attempted first-degree murder, and on Friday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued a TN Most Wanted Alert for her.
Miracle was arrested at a home near the intersection of Sunset Acres and Red Hill Road. Miracle, who Brooks said tried to change her appearance, was taken to Claiborne County Jail and charged with attempted first-degree murder.
The Claiborne Co. Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the incident.
An investigation is underway after a paramedic is killed and another injured in a Jefferson County crash. The Tennessee Department of Transportation says it happened on I-40 West and that a tractor-trailer was also involved in the crash.
Brad Phillips, the Jefferson County EMS director, says the crash happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on I-40 near the I-81 interchange.
Phillips says the ambulance was responding to a report of a crash with injuries in the area when it was hit by the commercial vehicle.
A preliminary report by the Tennessee Highway Patrol says the ambulance was traveling southbound on I-81 and the tractor-trailer was on I-40 West as it merged with I-81.
The ambulance, which had its emergency lights on, turned in front of the tractor-trailer as it tried to access I-40 East at a small crossover, resulting in the crash, according to THP.
Phillips says the ambulance had two Jefferson County paramedics on board, Jeremy Sutton and Sarah Brooks, both of whom were injured and taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Sutton had “severe injuries” and died shortly after arriving at the hospital, Phillips said. He added that Brooks is still in the hospital in stable condition.
The preliminary report says neither Sutton nor Brooks were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The driver of the commercial vehicle, a 67-year-old man from Georgia, was wearing a seatbelt and not injured.
THP is continuing to investigate the crash, and according to the preliminary report, possible charges against both drivers are pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
After the crash Saturday night, Jefferson County Mayor Mark Potts and several other agencies released statements regarding Sutton’s death.
Jefferson County mourns the loss of Paramedic Jeremy Sutton who passed away last night as a result of an ambulance accident while on duty. Our prayers and sympathy are extended to his family and to all our public safety employees.
Also, remember Paramedic Sarah Brooks who was also injured in the accident. We pray for Sarah and her family.
Thank you to all the public safety agencies who assisted last evening.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A record-setting crowd of 6,193 packed into Food City Center on Friday night for No. 15 Tennessee’s 3-1 (22-25, 25-16, 25-15, 25-20) loss to seventh-ranked Penn State.
The attendance mark shattered the previous record of 3,376 against Kentucky on Oct. 27, 2021.
The Lady Vols (0-1) had 23 attacking errors in the match and hit just .188, while the Nittany Lions (1-0) were led by a strong offensive effort of 60 kills on .343 hitting. Defensively, the Big Orange tallied 52 digs and seven blocks in the contest.
Freshman outside Paityn Chapman finished with a team-high 12 kills and two blocks for Tennessee, while junior outside Hayden Kubik added 11 kills and nine digs. Graduate transfer outside Nina Cajic rounded out the top attackers with 10 kills, six digs and two assists.
Redshirt sophomore setter Caroline Kerr recorded the sixth double-double of her career, tallying 38 assists, 11 digs and three kills. Leading the Lady Vol defensive efforts, sophomore libero Sydney Jaynes posted a match-high 15 digs, while junior middle blocker Keondreya Granberry tied for the match lead with four blocks to go along with five kills.
The first set had fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams went back and forth all the way through the media timeout. Shortly after, Penn State held a 17-16 advantage, but the Lady Vols swung the momentum in its favor with a 9-5 run to win the set, 25-22. Chapman led the way offensively, recording four kills in the frame.
The Nittany Lions responded with a pair of strong frames in the second and third to pull ahead in the match. Penn State hit .306 followed by .455 in the sets to swing the momentum in its favor, winning the second period 25-16 and the third 25-15. UT battled in the final frame, but the Nittany Lion offense continued to put the pressure on with 17 kills and an ace before claiming the set 25-20.
Up next, the Lady Vols head to No. 6 Louisville on Sunday. That match begins at 4 p.m. ET at the KFC Yum! Center, and the contest will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
DURHAM, N.C. – Tennessee soccer is set to head east to take on Duke in a 5 p.m. ET match on Sunday at Koskinen Stadium.
UT (3-1-0) is coming off three consecutive wins, shutting out each opponent and allowing just three shots on frame in total.
The Lady Vols most recent match was a 3-0 win over the Lipscomb that saw Kate Runyon and Ally Brown find the back of the net.
Runyon’s goal, which was her first of the season, came in the 28th minute and was assisted by Jaida Thomas and Luciana Latino, who both registered their first points of the year.
Brown’s goal, which was a header from a corner via Sarah Bridenstine, was the first of her collegiate career.
SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS: Duke enters Sunday’s match with a 2-1-0 record. The Blue Devils started the season with a loss to Ohio state but bounced back with consecutive wins over Nebraska and UNC Wilmington, outscoring them 7-0.
LET’S GO REESE: Tennessee forward Reese Mattern was named SEC Freshman of the Week for her performance against East Tennessee. The Charlottesville, Virginia, native provided a spark for the Lady Vols during their match against ETSU and found the back of the net in the 64th minute for the game winner.
CHASIN’ RECORDS: Thomas, who is in her final season on Rocky Top, currently ranks second on Tennessee’s all-time goals list with 39 and sits just four back of Kylee Rossi’s program-best 43. The three time All-SEC player and 2021 All-American appeared in just two matches last season before suffering a season-ending injury. During the 2022 season, Thomas scored 13 goals and posted the best goals-per-game average in the SEC at .68
KEEPIN’ IT CLEAN: : Following their win over ETSU, the Lady Vols have now posted three consecutive clean sheets and given up just three shots on frame in the last three contests.
UP NEXT: The Lady Vols will return home for a Thursday match against No. 3 UCLA at 7 p.m. ET.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 15 Tennessee scored on its first seven possessions and rolled up 718 yards of total offense, cruising past Chattanooga, 69-3, on Saturday afternoon in the 2024 season opener at Neyland Stadium.
Playing in front of a sell-out crowd of 101,915, the Vols scored on 10 of their 13 offensive possessions, producing touchdowns on eight of them. They finished with 414 yards through the air and another 304 on the ground, tying for the second-highest total yardage number in program history.
Additionally, Tennessee’s 69 points were the second-most points scored in the modern era (1937-present), and the 66-point margin of victory was the third-highest of the modern era. The 66-point margin of victory also was the highest for Tennessee in a season opener since defeating Carson-Newman 101-0 on Sept. 25, 1915.
“First of all, I just want to thank all the fans,” head coach Josh Heupel said. “It was a hot day out there. They showed up early. It was electric. The stadium was juiced right from the beginning. Appreciate all of them coming out tonight. It’s been a long time since we have been here, so it’s great to see them back again. I like a lot of things we did – all three phases of the game.”
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava was very impressive in his first start on Shields-Watkins Field, completing his first 10 passes and finishing with 314 yards through the air on 22-of-28 accuracy with three touchdowns in only two quarters of action. That yardage total was a school record for a half, topping the previous best of 313 set by Tyler Bray in the first half vs. Troy in 2012.
Running back Dylan Sampson and wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. produced multi-touchdown days for UT. Sampson finished with 124 yards rushing on 12 carries, tallying scoring totes of one, three and five. Thornton Jr., meanwhile, hauled in TD catches of 36 and 10 yards while recording three grabs for a team-high 105 yards.
The Vol defense kept the Mocs out of the end zone all day, surrendering only 74 rushing yards and 227 yards of total offense. Before they finished their day at the intermission, the first-team stop-troops had surrendered only 83 yards and four first downs while preventing Chattanooga from moving past its own 47 yard-line.
After Chattanooga won the coin toss and deferred, Tennessee took the opening kickoff and wasted little time setting the tone. In his first start at home and second overall, Iamaleava engineered a methodical 11-play, 65-yard scoring drive, with Sampson bursting into the end zone from one yard out. Redshirt freshman Max Gilbert’s first career PAT kick gave the Vols a 7-0 lead with 11:09 remaining in the first quarter.
The Big Orange put points on the board three more times in the opening stanza to build a 24-0 lead after the opening 15 minutes. First, it was a four-yard scoring toss from Iamaleava to tight end Ethan Davis at the 8:34 mark. Next came a 36-yard strike from Iamaleava to Thornton Jr. with 7:18 to go. After another lengthy UT drive eventually stalled, Gilbert came on to boot a 36-yard field goal with 3:32 to go.
The offensive blitz continued in the second frame. Sampson added his second and third touchdowns of the game on runs of three and five yards, respectively, while Thornton Jr. scored his second TD via a 10-yard dart from Iamaleava. Gilbert was accurate with all three PATs, as the hosts took a 45-0 lead into the locker room after out-gaining Chattanooga 503-83 in total offense and 21-4 in first downs over the first 30 minutes.
The Mocs finally got on the scoreboard with 10:10 to go in the third period, as Jude Kelley connected on a 43-yard field goal. Tennessee countered with two scores, though, getting a 42-yard field goal from Gilbert at the 7:15 mark and a 22-yard scamper from running back DeSean Bishop with 1:13 to go to take a 55-3 advantage into the final frame.
The UT reserves contributed to the bottom line in the fourth quarter. Running back Khalifa Keith scored via a one-yard plunge and Jordan Ross blocked a Chattanooga punt and was credited with a 49-yard return for a score. Josh Turbyville added both PATs to account for the final score.
UP NEXT Tennessee is back in action next Saturday night, as it travels to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., to take on No. 24/22 NC State in the 2024 Duke’s Mayo Classic. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
