Gunshots outside the Bearden Hill Fieldhouse on Kingston Pike Friday night jolted a busy stretch of Bearden, but Knoxville police say no one was hurt. Officers arrived to find evidence of a shooting in front of the sports bar and quickly opened an investigation that spilled into nearby businesses.
Police Say They Are Working ‘Strong Leads’
The Knoxville Police Department said detectives are pursuing “strong leads” in the case but have not made any arrests, according to a statement provided to WBIR. Investigators say the gunfire followed a disturbance inside the bar, where a group had reportedly been causing problems.
Police said the person suspected of firing the shots had been inside the bar earlier in the night, left the building, and then gunfire was heard outside as the individual fled the scene. No suspect description has been released, and officers are asking anyone with video or information to come forward.
Timeline and Evidence Collected
Officers responded around 10:50 p.m. to a report of shots fired and found two shell casings in front of the business, as reported by WATE. Witnesses told the outlet that a disturbance involving a group inside the bar escalated before one person walked out, after which shots were heard outside.
By Saturday afternoon, there were still no reports of injuries connected to the incident, and police had not publicly identified a suspect. Detectives canvassed nearby businesses for surveillance footage and additional witnesses as the investigation got underway.
Bearden Hill Fieldhouse and the Neighborhood
The Bearden Hill Fieldhouse is a well-known sports bar on Kingston Pike, advertised on its website as offering a large beer selection and regular events. Staff did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The bar’s site lists its hours and contact information for media inquiries.
The shooting unfolded along a commercial stretch of Bearden lined with restaurants and shops and drew a noticeable police presence Friday night as officers secured the area and processed the scene.
Where This Fits in Knoxville Crime Trends
While gunfire outside a neighborhood bar is unsettling for anyone who lives or works nearby, preliminary 2025 data from the Knoxville Police Department show non-fatal shootings were down 27 percent last year. Even with that drop, officers and community leaders note that isolated public shootings still occur.
Police say quick investigative work, often helped by witness tips and video from nearby cameras, is critical to preventing further harm and getting cases like this one off the books. The department continues to stress that community cooperation is a key piece of closing violent crime investigations.
How to Help Investigators
Anyone with information or video related to the shooting is urged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165, use the P3 Tips app, text ETTips to 738477, or submit a confidential tip online.
Tipsters can remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest. As always, if you witness an emergency in progress, call 911 immediately.
