Bar Fight in Bearden Ends in Conviction

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Criminal Court Unit obtained a conviction against a man who stabbed three victims at a bar in Bearden on New Year’s Day.  Shawn Edward Hatcher, 50, was convicted of two counts of Aggravated Assault, Assault, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.  Judge Emily Abbott set the case for sentencing on October 24.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Randall Kilby and Willie Lane explained to the jury that on January 1, 2024, Knoxville Police Department Officer Jake Bercaw responded to a 911 call regarding a stabbing at the Brickyard Bar and Grill on Homberg Drive in Bearden.  Once on scene, officers learned that Hatcher had been flirting with a woman who had asked him to stop touching her, and the female victim told Hatcher to leave the woman alone.  As the female victim was leaving with her group of friends, Hatcher punched her and then stabbed her.  Two men in the group intervened and were also stabbed and cut by Hatcher.  Hatcher fled down Homberg Drive while the victims drove to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment.  The victims were able to identify Hatcher to police, who found him near the bar a short time later.

“At sentencing, my office will ask the Judge to send this repeat offender back to prison,” said DA Allen.

Hatcher has prior felony convictions for Attempted Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Burglary, and Possession of Contraband in a Penal Facility.  Hatcher has also been identified previously as a member of the Aryan Nation.  Because of his criminal history, Hatcher is facing six to ten years on each of the Aggravated Assault counts.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Juanita Loope and Legal Secretary Michelle Carter aided in the prosecution of this case.

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.