KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Around 1 a.m. on Sunday, Knoxville Police officers responded to a deadly shooting in the area of Minnesota Avenue and Pascal Drive.
Officers found two males and one female suffering from gunshot wounds in the area of lot D of Lonsdale Homes. All three were taken to UT Medical Center. 17-year-old Johnkelian ‘John John’ Mathis was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to close friends. The other two victims were identified as Tricia Fisher, 29, and Anthony Taylor, 25. According to KPD, at least two residences and one car were also struck by gunfire.
Mathis was confirmed by Austin-East Principal Tammi Campbell to have been a senior at Austin-East Magnet High School. In a letter to parents and staff, she said school counselors and a crisis response team will be available for students and staff Monday.
Campbell added in her letter, “Although we will open school with heavy hearts, we remain hopeful that brighter and better days are ahead for our students and school family.”
“We are saddened to learn of the senseless death of another young person in our city. Our prayers are with the family, school, friends, and community. We should ALL be shaken by the loss of another bright light due to gun violence.”
Vrondelia Chandler, Project GRAD Knoxville Executive Director
At this time KPD has not released any suspect information. Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is urged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org or via the free mobile app, P3 Tips.
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