On a Thanksgiving evening in Knoxville, Tennessee, the life of 27-year-old Martel Timothy Thomas, Sr. was cut short by gunfire. On November 24, 2022, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to a report of a shooting at approximately 5:45 p.m. on McConnell Street, near Kenner Avenue. Upon arrival, they discovered Thomas inside a car, having sustained at least one gunshot wound.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Thomas had recently relocated to Knoxville. Witnesses in the area reported hearing multiple gunshots before finding him in the vehicle and alerting the authorities. Investigators believe the shooting was not a random act of violence, but rather a targeted attack. A possible suspect vehicle, described as a black four-door sedan, was seen leaving the area shortly after the shooting.
The Knoxville Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit is leading the ongoing investigation into the homicide. At this time, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified or charged in connection with the death of Martel Thomas. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers.
