Defendant Convicted of Assaults at UT Football Game

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Criminal Court Division obtained multiple convictions today against a man who struck two people leaving a University of Tennessee football game, requiring one victim to have facial reconstructive surgery. Gordon Shane Johnson, 36, was convicted of Aggravated Assault, Assault, and Evading Arrest. After the jury returned their verdict, Judge Scott Green set the case for sentencing on December 2.

At trial, Assistant District Attorneys Jennifer Welch and Miriam Johnson put on proof before the jury that showed that on September 12, 2015, as fans were exiting Neyland Stadium following a football game, Johnson was in the parking lot outside the stadium yelling. The first victim told Johnson to calm down then Johnson punched the victim in the face. He then turned and punched a second victim in the nose. Officer Anthony Rickman, who was providing security at the game, saw the assault, but when he ordered Johnson to stop, he ran into the crowd. Ofc. Rickman eventually caught up to Johnson when he ran into a corner. The victim who was punched in the nose required facial reconstruction surgery to install several plates and screws. Following the surgery, the victim’s jaw was wired shut for five weeks.

Aggravated Assault is a Class D felony. At sentencing, Johnson is facing a punishment between two and four years.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.