Wayne Humphrey, 41, was fatally shot on the evening of March 18, 2021, in the front yard of a home on the 2900 block of Brooks Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee. Humphrey had just returned from work at Cardin’s Drive-In when he was found with a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Friends, co-workers and family remember Humphrey as kind, generous and active in his church; his sister said he was genuine and often helped others. Witnesses reported a motorcycle speeding away from the scene, and accounts differ about whether there was a child or an adult passenger. The sister said the confrontation that led to the shooting may have begun when Humphrey stood up for a dog.

The investigation remained open and unsolved as of early 2025. Police told investigators they believe they identified the individuals involved and referred the matter to the District Attorney’s office for review, but no arrests had been announced and authorities continued to seek tips. Can anyone who was in the Brooks Avenue area that night or who recognizes the descriptions come forward with information?