Shooting at Fourth of July Celebration Leads to Murder Conviction

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit obtained convictions after a shooting occurred at a Fourth of July celebration.  Brandon Jamal McCaleb, 29, was convicted of First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.  Judge Steve Sword ordered McCaleb to serve life in prison on the murder count and set the case for sentencing on May 26 for the remaining counts.

In a four-day trial, Assistant District Attorney Kevin Allen and Acting Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Hoch-Nussbaum explained to the jury that on July 4, 2020, McCaleb was at a Fourth of July party with a group of friends and family.  As people were lighting fireworks, they began to throw fireworks at each other.  McCaleb became upset and went into the house to retrieve a firearm.  After pointing the handgun at the victim, the victim turned to run when McCaleb began shooting.  The victim was struck twice before he collapsed.  He was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center where he died four days later.  Knoxville Police Department Investigator AJ Loeffler responded to the scene to gather evidence and interview witnesses.

“The community is safer now that this repeat, violent offender is off the streets,” said DA Charme Allen. 

McCaleb was previously convicted of two counts of Attempted Second Degree Murder and was on parole at the time of this offense.  Life in prison means McCaleb must serve fifty-one years in prison before he is eligible for parole.  Attempted First Degree Murder is a Class A felony.  Because of his prior convictions, McCaleb is facing twenty-five to forty years in prison on that count.  Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony carries a sentence of ten years that must run consecutive to the Attempted First Degree Murder count.

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.