A Knoxville man's criminal history deepened as he was convicted for a violent assault involving a firearm, according to Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen. Fifty-year-old Larry Lynn Ray, with an extensive rap sheet of 30 prior felony convictions, has been found guilty of aggravated assault—a Class C Felony—after a recent two-day trial.
In the incident that took place on September 24, 2023, prosecutors detailed how Ray assaulted an individual by striking him with the butt of a gun. The violent confrontation occurred in South Knoxville, where Ray ambushed the victim who was parked at a residence on Tipton Station Road. According to a report from WVLT, "Ray opened the driver’s side door and put a gun to the back of the victim’s head."
The victim managed to flee the scene and immediately contacted law enforcement. Allen's office emphasized the severity of Ray's actions, stating Ray then "pistol whipped" the victim using the handle of a weapon, as per the victim's account. This latest conviction adds to Ray's record of previous offenses which span across multiple counties and include crimes such as aggravated robbery, burglary, and drug trafficking, detailed a release from the DA's office reported by WBIR.
Ray, labeled a career criminal by the DA's office, now faces a 15-year sentence without the possibility of parole. His sentencing is scheduled for July 18. This conviction highlights an ongoing battle with recidivism and underscores the challenges faced by communities grappling with repeat offenders. The case against Ray was based on eyewitness testimony and the swift response of Knox County Sheriff’s deputies after the assault call. Information from WATE outlined the court's decision and the upcoming sentencing hearing.
