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KPD: 2 dead, 1 hurt in South Knoxville shooting

The shooting was reported on Joe Lewis Road at Daylily Drive, off Maryville Pike near the Montgomery Village apartments.

Two people were fatally shot and another person suffered gunshot wounds in a confrontation Thursday afternoon in a South Knoxville parking lot.

An unnamed person was detained for questioning at Knoxville Police Department headquarters, according to KPD spokesman Darrell DeBusk.

The shooting was reported at 1:25 p.m. in a parking lot at Joe Lewis Road at Daylily Drive, near the Montgomery Village public house.

KPD confirmed all the victims were male. Names have not been released.

One male was found dead at the parking lot. One of the males died at University of Tennessee Medical Center. The other victim was being treated for his injuries.

DeBusk said those involved in the shooting were all thought to know each other. He said authorities were not prepared to reveal what led to the shooting or the kinds of guns involved. The number of shots fired was being reviewed.

Police investigators remained on the scene throughout the afternoon speaking to witnesses and gathering evidence.

For people who live nearby, it's becoming an all too common scene.

"I heard shots," said Mykal Travier. "I didn't think nothing of it."

The homicide victims represented the ninth and 10th killings since May 15, according to KPD.

Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch said the homicide incidents throughout the city lately can mostly be traced back to certain activities.

"They're typically gang members, or they are involved in the drug trade," Rausch said.

Rausch said Knoxville is seeing an "unprecedented" number of homicides this year, although none are considered random.

The city typically averages between 18 to 24 homicides per year, Rausch said. Almost halfway through the year, Knoxville's homicide death toll already stands at 19.

"It's devastating," Rausch said. "There are families losing loved ones every day unfortunately."

Rausch said the community has to come together to solve the issues of drugs and violent crime.

He said it will take families recognizing when someone is involved in violent activities and having the courage to talk to them or report them.

"If the community wants these things to stop, then they got to help us get those people who are committing these offenses and so we need their help," Rausch said. "We got to have their help."

He said that means the community will need step up if they have any information about a crime. He said a name, a nickname or one little clue could give the police a break to solve a case.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call KPD at 215-7212. Callers can remain anonymous.

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