News Summary
In Knoxville, two men have been arrested connected to recent shooting incidents, raising community concerns about gun violence. Hayden Currie, 29, faces multiple charges after allegedly firing shots at an occupied residence, while 22-year-old Payton Phillips was arrested following a drive-by shooting that resulted in him injuring himself. Both cases highlight the ongoing issue of firearms misuse in the community, prompting discussions about public safety.
Knoxville – Two men have been arrested in connection with separate shooting incidents in the Knoxville area, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun violence in the community. Hayden Currie, a 29-year-old man, faces multiple charges after allegedly firing shots at an occupied residence over the past month. In an unrelated case, Payton Phillips was arrested following a drive-by shooting that resulted in him accidentally injuring himself.
Hayden Currie’s Arrest
Currie was taken into custody on Thursday night after the Knoxville Police Department linked him to a series of gunfire incidents that occurred on the 2200 block of Paris Road. Reports of the shootings began on April 14, when gunshots were heard around 11:30 p.m., causing damage to a truck parked at the residence. The damage from this initial shooting exceeded $1,000, as the truck’s radiator was hit twice.
On April 22, as many as five people were inside the same home when shots were fired from a dark-colored pickup truck around 10:40 p.m. This incident resulted in further damage to the residents’ truck, which had only recently been repaired from the earlier shooting. The third incident took place on May 5, when approximately four shots were fired toward the occupied house, with one striking a rental car parked in the driveway.
After police identified the vehicle involved in the shootings as a dark-colored pickup, they were able to detain Currie. A search of his truck revealed a firearm, leading to multiple charges, including five counts of aggravated assault, three counts of reckless endangerment, and three counts of felony vandalism.
Payton Phillips’ Drive-By Shooting Incident
In a separate incident, 22-year-old Payton Phillips was arrested after he shot himself while participating in a drive-by shooting early on May 6. The incident occurred around 1:50 a.m. and was recorded by a witness’s Ring doorbell camera, capturing Phillips firing multiple rounds from the passenger side of a moving vehicle. Witnesses reported that Phillips aimed his gun at a nearby house as he discharged the weapon.
Shortly after the shooting, Phillips arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg. The driver of the vehicle claimed that Phillips had negligently discharged his firearm, leading to the injury after firing four to five times. Upon investigating the scene, police found a Glock 43X handgun and over 8 grams of marijuana in the car.
Phillips has been charged with several offenses, including intimidation with a dangerous weapon, reckless use of a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon while intoxicated, and possession of marijuana. He is currently being held at the Marion County Jail with an $18,000 bond, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 15.
Community Concerns
The recent arrests underscore a growing concern about gun violence in Knoxville. The actions of both Currie and Phillips, particularly with Currie’s targeted assaults and Phillips’s negligent shooting, have sparked discussions about public safety and the repercussions of firearms misuse in the community.
As both cases move through the judicial system, local authorities and residents remain on high alert, advocating for greater measures to address gun violence and its far-reaching implications on community well-being.
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Additional Resources
- KCCI: Knoxville Man Charged in Drive-By Shooting
- Wikipedia: Gun Violence
- WBIR: The Pint House Lawsuit
- Google Search: Knoxville shootings
- WHO13: Knoxville Man Charged in Drive-By Shooting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Firearm
- Des Moines Register: Knoxville Man Shoots Himself
- Google News: Knoxville gun violence
- KNIA KRLS: Knoxville Man Arrested After Shooting Himself
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
