A Knoxville night on the front porch turned deadly Thursday when police say a 29-year-old woman accidentally fired a gun and killed a man on Belleaire Avenue.
The shooting happened around 10:15 p.m. in the 700 block of Belleaire Avenue, according to Knoxville police. Investigators say Katelyn Meadows unintentionally fired a single round that hit a man in the chest. He died at the scene, and Meadows was taken into custody. She is now charged with reckless homicide and reckless endangerment.
Knoxville Police Department Communications Manager Scott Erland told WVLT that homicide detectives responded to the home and found the victim on the porch with a gunshot wound to the chest. According to Erland, Meadows, and the man had been sitting outside, drinking and using marijuana while handling two firearms.
At some point, Erland said, Meadows fired a shot that struck the victim. WVLT reports that Meadows called 9-1-1 herself to report what had happened.
Charges Highlight Risks Of Mixing Guns And Intoxication
Meadows now faces criminal exposure under Tennessee law. Reckless homicide is defined as “a reckless killing of another” and is classified as a Class D felony under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-215, as published by Justia. Reckless endangerment, which can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances, is set out in Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-103, according to Justia.
Those statutory categories will guide prosecutors as they review the case and decide how aggressively to pursue the charges.
Unintentional Shootings Often Follow A Familiar Pattern
National surveillance data from the CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System show that unintentional firearm deaths often stem from mishandling, such as pulling a trigger by mistake or assuming a weapon is unloaded. The system also notes that alcohol or drugs are frequently involved in these incidents.
According to police statements to WVLT, Meadows and the victim had been drinking and using marijuana while handling two guns on the porch before the shot was fired.
Investigation Continues As Police Seek Tips
Knoxville Police Department homicide detectives are leading the investigation. Officials have not yet released additional details about the victim.
Anyone with information is asked to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers or the Knoxville Police Department's non-emergency line, according to the department. The Knoxville Police Department lists contact numbers and is expected to post updates on the case as they become available.
