KPD investigating South Knoxville fatal shooting

Knoxville Police Department officers investigate a fatal shooting at Hialeah Apartments in South Knoxville on Tuesday. The body of a male victim was discovered in a wooded area next to the apartment building. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)

Photo by Adam Brimer, copyright © 2012 // Buy this photo

Knoxville Police Department officers investigate a fatal shooting at Hialeah Apartments in South Knoxville on Tuesday. The body of a male victim was discovered in a wooded area next to the apartment building. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)

A 19-year-old man is dead and at least three people were quickly taken into custody after a shooting outside a South Knoxville apartment building Tuesday.

Knoxville Police Department officers responded at 3:46 p.m. to the corner of Hialeah Drive and Smelser Road.

The body was discovered nearby in a wooded area adjacent to an apartment building at 131 Overbrook Drive, just west of Chapman Highway.

The victim was identified as Christopher Melton of Knoxville, according to KPD spokesman Darrell DeBusk.

"We thought it was fireworks for the Fourth of July at first," said Cynthia Yoder, who was in her home across the street with three of her daughters when they heard two shots erupt outside. "Then we heard the sirens.

"My babies play in that yard all the time. Thank God they weren't there today."

Within about 20 minutes, officers near the corner of Maryville Pike and Ogle Avenue stopped a red Jeep Cherokee that matched the description of a possible suspect vehicle, DeBusk said. Three people inside the SUV were detained for questioning, DeBusk said.

One person remained in police custody for further questioning late Tuesday night, he said. Authorities have yet to announce any arrests or charges in the case.

The investigation is continuing.

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Comments » 3

peacedog05 writes:

We truly are an "illegal use of a firearm" crazed nation.

knoxtaxpayer1 writes:

"officers were quick to respond", the pilot is just around the corner,haha

Heresmy2cents writes:

in response to knoxtaxpayer1:

"officers were quick to respond", the pilot is just around the corner,haha

You are quite the comedian..... bad thing is you are the only one laughing. The Pilot comments are getting old. Can you not think of something more origional? or is that beyond your comprehension or vocabulary?

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