In the cool evening of March 28, 2022, a sense of unease settled over a Dollar General parking lot on Sutherland Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was there that 18-year-old Jaqwan Gillette would find his life cut tragically short in a burst of gunfire. The events of that night unfolded around what police believe was a planned marijuana transaction involving individuals in two separate vehicles.
An exchange of gunfire erupted between the parties, and in the chaos, Gillette was struck.
First responders were called to the scene at approximately 8:13 p.m. following reports of shots fired. Minutes later, another call directed them to the nearby Sutherland Flats apartment complex, where Gillette had collapsed in a lower parking lot. Despite the efforts of officers and emergency medical personnel who attempted to render aid, he was pronounced dead at the scene from at least one gunshot wound. The Knoxville Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit immediately launched an investigation into the fatal shooting, pursuing what they described as strong leads.
The investigation quickly led to the identification of suspects. On March 31, 2022, 20-year-old Shani Harris was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery in connection with Gillette's death. Investigators determined that Harris was with Gillette and that they had both fired upon another individual who then returned fire. Shortly thereafter, a second arrest was made. A 17-year-old male was taken into custody on juvenile petitions for the same charges of attempted first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery. Due to his age, his identity was not publicly released. The investigation into the shooting was reported to be ongoing following the arrests.
