Early this morning, chaos broke out at a North Central Street business as gunshots punctured the quiet predawn air. The Knoxville Police Department reported that two individuals were arrested following an incident at the Evape Tavern and Dispensary. According to a social media post from Knoxville Police Department - TN, the disturbance was set off after bar staff refused to serve an intoxicated customer.
It was approximately 2:40 a.m. when the police were alerted to shots fired at the tavern and dispensary. Witnesses recounted Robert Vandergriff, aged 58, insistently attempting to persuade staff to serve his companion, 59-year-old Glenda Savage. The bar had deemed Savage too inebriated for further service, which led to the couple being asked to vacate the premises. However, the refusal was met with rage, and after departing, Vandergriff and Savage returned ominously. Vandergriff stepped out of the car on Central Street and fired at the building, disregarding the presence of two inside and one person outside. Miraculously, the shots harmed no one.
The couple was promptly identified, and their attempt at escape was futile. In short order, police officers located and detained both Vandergriff and Savage. The Knoxville Police Department has filed charges against Vandergriff for three counts of aggravated assault. Savage faces one count of aggravated assault in connection with the early morning shooting.
Details of the incident are still emerging, and the investigation continues as authorities piece together the events that took place at the Evape Tavern and Dispensary. More updates are expected as the case progresses.
