Landon Gregory Schenk was a 14-year-old boy from Seymour, Tennessee, remembered by his family for his contagious laugh and a heart of gold. His obituary described him as a free spirit, full of energy and adventure, whose presence brought smiles and joy to those around him. Landon loved his family deeply, especially his sister, Karlee. He found happiness in simple pleasures like swimming, playing video games, and talking on the phone with his friends.
He also enjoyed sports, drones, and traveling to New York to visit relatives. His grandmother, Darla Williams, recalled him as "a such a loving kid" who "would do anything for anybody." "He was a such a happy child," she said.
The afternoon of Wednesday, October 7, 2026, turned to tragedy in a North Knoxville home. Around noon, officers from the Knoxville Police Department were called to a residence in the 2200 block of Juniper Drive for a shooting. Inside, they discovered Landon suffering from a single gunshot wound. He was transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
When Homicide Unit detectives arrived at the Juniper Drive home, they found several other juveniles present. An adult was also inside the house at the time and was cooperative with the investigation. Through interviews, police determined that the shooting was unintentional. According to the preliminary investigation, a 15-year-old male friend of Landon's was handling a firearm when it discharged one round, striking Landon.
In the immediate aftermath, the 15-year-old who fired the weapon was taken into custody. He was charged with reckless homicide through a juvenile petition and his case was set to proceed through the juvenile court system. Due to their ages, authorities did not publicly release the names of the suspect or the victim, though Landon's family later identified him. The police investigation continued to focus on how the teenagers gained access to the gun. As required by state law, detectives made a referral to the Department of Children's Services.
Landon's sudden death left his family and community devastated. His grandmother expressed a wish that no other family would have to endure such a loss, urging parents to "teach your children about guns" and "stay in your kids' lives." She wanted people to remember her grandson as a happy 14-year-old who loved his family. The family received friends for a visitation on October 12th at Atchley Funeral Home in Seymour, which was followed by a private graveside service.
Landon is survived by his parents, Jason and Cassie; his sister, Karlee; and his grandparents, Heidi Schenk and Darla Justus, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. His obituary reads, "Though his time on earth was far too short, the memories he created, the love he shared, and the light he brought into the lives of others will never be forgotten." As of October 2026, the police investigation into the shooting was ongoing.
