Charles Louis Earles, a 28-year-old African American man, was fatally shot on December 6, 2007, in his East Knoxville, Tennessee, apartment. His death is an unsolved homicide, a case that has left his family searching for answers for over a decade.
On that Thursday evening, Earles was in his Cavalier Avenue residence when he was shot. Investigators believe he opened his door to his killer, as there were no signs of a forced entry or a struggle inside the home.
His mother, who resided in the same duplex, tragically discovered her son's body. She had not heard the gunshot that claimed his life. The Knoxville Police Department was called to the scene, where they found Earles deceased from a gunshot wound.
In the years following the shooting, the investigation into Charles Louis Earles's death has remained active but has yet to lead to an arrest. While police have indicated they have had persons of interest, no official suspects have been named publicly, and no charges have been filed. The belief among investigators is that Earles was likely familiar with the person who shot him. The case has been featured in local news reports and police appeals to the public for any information that might lead to a breakthrough in the case. Despite these efforts, the murder of Charles Louis Earles remains a cold case, leaving a lingering sense of injustice for his loved ones.
