KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — An investigation is underway after a boy was shot in the hip Wednesday afternoon in a drive-by shooting in the Mechanicsville neighborhood.
Just after 4 p.m., Knoxville Police Department officers responded to 1709 Moses Ave. for a shooting investigation.
Upon arrival, officers met with a juvenile male victim.
The boy was reportedly outside his residence when a dark-colored car drove by and fired multiple shots at the victim and several others standing outside.
Video provided to WBIR shows the car speed down the street, someone firing multiple gunshots.
A bullet grazed the victim in the hip, police said. He refused medical treatment or transportation to an area hospital.
The vehicle sped away.
KPD officers said numerous shell casings were recovered from the street.
It's the latest of several incidents to occur in the area in recent weeks.
On Dec. 22, KPD was alerted about a stolen vehicle parked behind the house on Moses. They found an 18-year-old named Sincere Booker asleep in the car along with a 16-year-old male. The car had been stolen, according to KPD.
Both young men were charged. Both had guns; Booker's had been stolen, according to KPD.
"Booker was charged with possessing a firearm during commission/attempt to commit a dangerous felony, auto theft, illegal possession of a credit card and simple possession," according to a KPD release. "The 16-year-old male was charged with possession of handgun by juvenile and simple possession."
Also, on the day of Dec. 15, KPD investigated two drive-by shootings, one of which occurred around Moses and College Street.
That night, according to the department, officers saw what turned out to be a stolen Toyota Camry on Western Avenue that matched the description of the vehicle involved in the shootings.
"The first shooting occurred around 2:45 p.m. in the area of Kenner Avenue and Taylor Homes Road, while the second shooting occurred around 3:40 p.m. in the area of Moses Avenue and College Street. No injuries were reported as a result of either shooting, but various damage to property and residences was reported," according to KPD.
The people in the stolen Toyota fled and it crashed at the ramp to Interstate 275 from Baxter Avenue. Police caught the two, a 16-year-old male and a 17-year-olde male.
The 16-year-old had drugs and a backpack with a gun in it, according to KPD. Both face charges that include vehicle theft.
Police urge anyone with information about the drive-bys report them. Also, if a drive-by happens in your neighborhood, you also should call 911.