Do you know who murdered Jaquan Reese in 2020? In the afternoon hours of May 30, 2020, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace in an East Knoxville neighborhood, tragically cutting short the life of 19-year-old JaQuan Reese, an African American male. Reese, a talented athlete and a recent enlistee in the U.S. Army Reserves, was not found by authorities at the scene of the crime. Instead, the Knoxville Police Department was notified by the UT Medical Center that a young man had arrived at their facility in a private vehicle, suffering from a
gunshot wound. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Reese succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Investigators believe the fatal shooting occurred in the vicinity of Sunset Avenue and South Castle Street. The Knoxville Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit immediately launched a homicide investigation into Reese's death. As they began to piece together the events of that Saturday, a vehicle of interest emerged: a dark-colored, mid-sized sedan. It was reported that a suspect may have gotten out of this black sedan, fired shots, and then fled the area. Authorities publicly shared an image of the car, appealing to the community for any information that could lead to the identification of the vehicle and those involved in the shooting.
Years have passed since JaQuan Reese was killed, but his case remains unsolved, and justice for him and his family is still pending. No arrests have been made in connection with the homicide, and the investigation is ongoing. The Knoxville Police Department continues to ask for the public's assistance, encouraging anyone with information to come forward, even anonymously. The death of the promising young man, who was remembered as a star football player and wrestler, contributed to a growing concern over gun violence in the Knoxville community, leaving a void for his family and friends who still await answers.
