In the early moments of the new year, tragedy struck in Knoxville, Tennessee, when 60-year-old Barry Evans, a local man, was fatally shot. The incident unfolded just minutes after midnight on January 1, 2026. Police officers responded to a call in the 2000 block of Neyland Drive, near the University of Tennessee campus, where they discovered Evans unresponsive with at least one gunshot wound.
He was rushed to the UT Medical Center but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The investigation into the death of Barry Evans quickly led authorities to a person of interest. Working with the University of Tennessee Police Department, investigators identified a vehicle of interest which they later found at a gas station on East Summit Hill Drive. The two occupants of the vehicle were detained for questioning by Homicide Unit detectives. The investigation progressed, and by midday, authorities located and detained 44-year-old Dytangie Jerosski Woodfin in the area of Spruce Street and E. Fifth Avenue.
Following questioning, Dytangie Jerosski Woodfin was arrested in connection with the shooting. The investigation revealed that Woodfin and Evans knew one another and had been involved in an altercation that escalated to the fatal shooting. Woodfin, a convicted felon, faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, convicted felon in possession of a weapon, and employing a firearm during the commission of a felony. While the precise reason for their dispute has not been made public, the investigation remains ongoing.
Barry Eugene Evans Sr., known affectionately as "Big Gorilla" for his strength, was remembered as a father, grandfather, and a valued member of the Knoxville community. He was the owner and operator of a refurbishing company and was known for his strong work ethic. His death has deeply shaken the community, leaving family and friends to mourn the loss of a man they remember for his loyalty, kindness, and the positive impact he had on those around him.
