On December 21, 2021, at approximately 05:19 am the Knoxville Police Department received notification of a male suffering from at least one gunshot wound arrived at The University of Tennessee Medical Centers Emergency Department.
It was discovered a short time later the shooting had occurred outside the city limits at a trailer park in Halls.
Knox County Sheriff’s Office Patrol and Major Crimes Units responded to that address. Upon arrival, there was substantial evidence to support the statements given to officers. Detectives and Forensic Personnel spent several hours processing the scene, as well as interviewing a potential suspect and witness that were involved in the incident.
The victim who has an out-of-state identification was pronounced dead at UTMC. The victim was not transported by AMR instead was taken to UT by the two individuals at the scene of the incident.
The initial investigation leads Detectives to believe that the victim, suspect, and witness knew each other. The investigation will be handled by KCSO’s Major Crimes Unit, the findings will be turned over to the District Attorney General for review. No charges have been filed as of this hour. The investigation is in the preliminary stages. More information will be forthcoming as the investigation progresses.
Next of kin has been notified tonight and the victim is identified as Juan Alberto Rodas age 40.