In the spring of 2023, the life of 35-year-old Travis Lamont Brown was cut short in Knoxville, Tennessee. On the afternoon of May 3rd, police responded to a call about an unresponsive man on the sidewalk of the Broadway bridge, situated between West Depot Avenue and West Jackson Avenue. First responders arrived to find Brown, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators quickly suspected foul play in the death of the Knoxville man.
Their attention soon turned to Jayshawn Williams, a 36-year-old man who was identified as a person of interest in the case. According to authorities, witnesses reported seeing Williams walking with Brown on the viaduct shortly before a gunshot was heard. The witnesses then saw Brown fall to the ground. They noted that no one else was in the immediate vicinity at the time of the shooting. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Williams taking a few steps before pulling his hood over his head and walking away in the opposite direction.
Following the identification of Williams as a person of interest, the Knoxville Police Department sought public assistance in locating him, noting that he was known to frequent the downtown area. On May 11, 2023, Williams was apprehended at a gas station on Sevier Avenue. At the time of his arrest, he was found to be in possession of suspected heroin and meth. Due to appearing to be under the influence of narcotics, he was transported to a hospital before being booked.
Jayshawn Williams was subsequently charged with second-degree murder in connection with Travis Brown's death. In September 2023, a grand jury indicted him on charges of second-degree murder and illegally possessing a weapon.
