Blog: KPD News & Alerts

Investigation Into Death of Donald DeShazo Continues

The Knoxville Police Department Violent Crimes Unit continues to investigate the death of 47-year-old Donald DeShazo, who was found dead inside of a home at 2418 Wilson Avenue on the night of Friday, January 21. DeShazo’s body was found after Knoxville Fire Department firefighters responded to a house fire at that location.

Two days before, on the afternoon of January 19, KPD officers responded to the 2400 block of Selma Avenue to investigate a possible stabbing. During the initial investigation, officers learned that a woman was stabbed and sexually assaulted at an unknown nearby location. The victim reported that prior to that incident she was with DeShazo, and that the two went to a location to purchase marijuana. At that location, DeShazo went into the house, while the victim stayed in the car.

After receiving several calls from DeShazo’s phone, the victim went inside the home, where she was met by a Black male who was wearing a mask and pointing a gun at her head. She also saw another Black male inside of the home. The first suspect then took the victim to the front bathroom, stabbed her multiple times and sexually assaulted her. While in the bathroom, she reportedly heard the two suspects arguing with DeShazo, and she used that as an opportunity to escape the home.

Due to her injuries and unfamiliarity with the area, she was unable to tell the officers who responded to investigate the stabbing where it occurred. The victim was transported to the UT Medical Center for treatment and was unable to speak with officers again for several days.

On January 21 at around 8:50 p.m., the Knoxville Fire Department responded to the house fire at 2418 Wilson Avenue, where the body of Donald DeShazo was found. The manner of death was ruled a homicide and investigators also learned that the fire was intentionally set in an effort to destroy evidence.

The first suspect was described as a dark-skinned Black male with a medium build and approximately 5’10” to 6’0” tall. The second suspect was described as a Black male with a lighter skin tone, heavier build and shorter than 5’10”. Neither suspect has been identified.

Investigators also learned that DeShazo was involved in drug trafficking and is originally from the Detroit, Michigan area.

Investigators continue to seek information from anyone who might have observed anything around 2418 Wilson Avenue that could be relevant to the case, to include suspicious people, cars or noises. The most relevant times would be from 4-7 p.m. on January 19 and from 7-8:45 p.m. on January 21.

Anyone with info can contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers, which is available 24/7 by phone at 865-215-7165, online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org, via the P3 Tips mobile app or by texting **TIPS. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible to receive a cash reward.

Posted by serland On 28 March, 2022 at 5:59 PM