In the early hours of a Tuesday morning in Knoxville, Tennessee, the life of 22-year-old Jakhory Dortch was tragically cut short. On July 15, 2025, Knoxville Police Department officers were dispatched to the Days Inn on Dante Road shortly after 3 a.m. following reports of a fight and gunshots. Upon arrival, they found Dortch suffering from a gunshot wound.
Despite the immediate life-saving efforts of the Knoxville Fire Department, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting began immediately, with homicide detectives and crime scene technicians processing the area for evidence. According to the Knoxville Police Department, Dortch had been involved in a physical altercation with another man outside of a motel room when the shooting occurred. This other individual was detained at the scene and taken in for questioning by detectives.
As the investigation continues, no charges have been filed against the man who was detained. The Knoxville Police Department has stated that once their investigation is complete, the case file will be turned over to the Knox County District Attorney's Office for review. The community has been left to mourn the loss of Dortch, who was originally from Athens, Tennessee. His obituary describes him as a loving and silly person who enjoyed fishing, sports, and spending time with his family.
