Do you know who murdered Derrick Perry in 2020? In the early morning hours of September 19, 2020, the life of Derrick Lamont Perry Jr., an 18-year-old Black / African American male, was tragically cut short in Knoxville, Tennessee. Just four months after graduating from Austin-East High School, the young man who was a father to a daughter was found suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The Knoxville Police responded to a call at approximately 2 a.m. at 3623 Lilac Avenue in East Knoxville where they discovered Perry.
Despite any medical attention he may have received, he succumbed to his injuries.
The death of Derrick Perry sent ripples of grief and shock through the Knoxville community. His family and friends remembered him as a vibrant young man with a promising future, and his untimely death was a heartbreaking loss for all who knew him. In the wake of the shooting, there was an outpouring of condolences and shared memories on social media, highlighting the senselessness of the violence that took his life. Community leaders and activists used this tragic event to call for more resources and programs to address gun violence, particularly among the city's youth.
As of late 2025, the investigation into Derrick Perry's murder remains open and is considered an unsolved case by the Knoxville Police Department. Despite ongoing efforts by the Violent Crimes Unit, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. Authorities continue to appeal to the public for any information that could lead to a breakthrough in the case. Derrick's mother, Toya Johnson, has spoken about the recurring pain she feels each time another young life is lost to gun violence, a tragic reminder of the day her son was murdered. The family continues to seek justice and closure in the unsolved killing of their loved one.
