Man Kills Employer after Being Fired

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Major Crimes Unit obtained convictions against a man who shot his former boss after being fired from his job.  Daniel Scott Arwood, 39, was convicted of First Degree Murder and Evading Arrest.  After the jury returned the verdict, Judge Hector Sanchez listened to victim impact statements before imposing a sentence of life in prison.

In a four-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Jeannine Guzolek and Jordan Murray explained to the jury that on February 5, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to a shooting at a school bus transportation facility off Middlebrook Pike.  KPD Det. Thomas Thurman learned that the victim owned the bus business and had employed his friend, Arwood, until he had been terminated from employment by the victim the previous week.  The victim had allowed Arwood to sleep in a room in the warehouse, but Arwood was due to vacate the room this morning.  Witnesses saw Arwood and the victim talking in the parking lot before Arwood produced a shotgun and shot the victim twice.  The victim ran away between two buses, and Arwood chased him.  Arwood caught up with the victim and fired a third shot, killing the victim.  Arwood ran to his car and fled the scene.  When he was later located by KPD, he evaded arrest in his vehicle, reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour.  With the assistance of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit, Arwood was taken into custody.

“I am proud of the team effort that came together to apprehend this individual and bring him to justice,” said DA Allen.

Life in prison means Arwood must serve fifty-one years before he is eligible to meet with the parole board.  He will face sentencing on July 2 for the Evading Arrest count.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Kim Strike and Legal Secretary Connie Watts 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.