In the early morning hours of July 17, 2021, the life of 36-year-old Chaka NaEmia Trayvise Sligh, a Black female from Knoxville, Tennessee, was tragically cut short. She was a passenger in a vehicle, riding with a friend along East Fifth Avenue, when the unthinkable happened. A passing car suddenly turned around, and an occupant opened fire on their vehicle.
Struck by the gunfire, Sligh was critically injured.
Her friend, in a desperate attempt to save her, flagged down a Knoxville Police Department officer in the Old City area. She was rushed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, but her injuries were too severe. Shortly after her arrival, Chaka Sligh was pronounced deceased, leaving behind her three children and a devastated family.
The Knoxville Police Department located a crime scene in the 2700 block of East Fifth Avenue and launched a homicide investigation into the senseless act of violence. In the days and years that have followed, her family has continued to mourn their profound loss, remembering a woman who was loved by many. Her funeral was held at the Open Door Church, where friends and the community gathered to offer their support and pay their respects.
Despite the ongoing investigation by the Knoxville Police Department, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with her murder. Her case remains an unsolved homicide. Law enforcement and organizations like East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers have continued to appeal to the public for any information that could lead to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for her death, offering the possibility of a cash reward for tips that could bring justice to Chaka Sligh and her grieving family.
