In a video conference with media members Thursday afternoon, Knoxville Police Chief Eve Thomas says no witnesses have come forward with information in the two most recent shootings that resulted in deaths of two Austin East High School students.

“We really need the community’s help in this area,” said Thomas.

Thomas added that she still feels like the department is making progress in finding suspects. The chief was also asked if she believed the cases were connected.

“I can tell you that at this point in those investigations, our detectives have not found any evidence to suggest there is any correlation between those two cases,” Thomas responded.

These comments come after a surge in violent crime in Knoxville over the first month and a half of 2021.