Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Four teens are arrested Tuesday night following a chaotic scene involving fireworks and a car crash in Knoxville.
Knoxville Police Department officials say officers responded around 10:00 p.m. to a crash near Texas Avenue and Pascal Drive. Witnesses told officers that teens were hitting a black Hyundai with paintballs and fireworks, which caused it to crash into an F-150.
Responding officers were also targets as people started throwing fireworks at them and their cars. Those officers, along with backup, then had to escort the responding wreckers out of the area, officials said.
The teens, all males, ages 14 to 16 were charged, two with aggravated assault and evading arrest and two with disorderly conduct and evading arrest.
Knoxville Chief of Police Paul Noel was quick to condemn the minor’s behavior Tuesday.
“This behavior is completely unacceptable, and it puts our Officers and residents at risk of legitimate physical and mental harm,” said Noel. “I am relieved that nobody was seriously injured and thankful that none of our Officers were injured. I also appreciate how our Officers handled what was an incredibly chaotic and stressful situation.”
KPD officials also report that later in the night officers responded to the same area on another call of someone shooting fireworks at cars and people. They arrested 21 year old Corey Armstrong near the 1900 block of Minnesota Avenue for unlawful possession of a weapon. He reportedly had fireworks and a gun on his person.