In the spring of 2022, a violent altercation in North Knoxville led to the tragic death of 46-year-old Kenneth 'Lee' Burgett. A White male from Knoxville, Tennessee, Burgett was fatally shot on the evening of April 29th in the parking lot of Hatmaker's Bar and Grill. The incident was the unfortunate culmination of a dispute between two rival motorcycle clubs, the Outlaws, of which Burgett was a member, and the Pagans. The conflict, which began inside the establishment, quickly escalated and spilled out into the parking area where gunfire erupted.
The chaotic scene resulted in another fatality, 30-year-old Patrick Petty of Harrogate, Tennessee, a member of the Pagans Motorcycle Club. In addition to the two deaths, the shooting left three other men wounded. Two were found at the scene with non-life-threatening injuries, while a third individual fled and later sought medical attention at Claiborne Medical Center for a gunshot wound.
In the aftermath of the deadly brawl, the Knoxville Police Department launched an investigation into the incident. Despite the number of individuals involved and present at the scene, authorities reported that no suspects were immediately taken into custody. The investigation into the deaths of Kenneth Burgett and Patrick Petty was announced as active and ongoing, with law enforcement appealing to the public for any information that could lead to an arrest.
The repercussions of the violent event extended to the establishment where it occurred. Hatmaker's Bar and Grill faced significant consequences, including the revocation of its beer license for a decade by the city of Knoxville, stemming from both the fatal shooting and previous disturbances. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission also suspended the bar's liquor license and placed it on probation. These measures were accompanied by a fine and a mandate for the implementation of enhanced security protocols, including video surveillance and the presence of security guards. In the weeks and months that followed, the community was left to grapple with the aftermath of the violence, while the families of the victims awaited justice, as no arrests had been announced in connection with the deadly shooting.
