KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT)— A Knoxville man is facing multiple criminal charges after authorities say he damaged a delivery vehicle and later came outside carrying a shotgun during a confrontation with a delivery driver in Knox County.
According to court records obtained by WVLT News, Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence on Wrights Ferry Road Monday evening following a reported dispute involving a delivery driver and 50-year-old Christopher Pennington.
Investigators said Pennington was captured on video confronting the driver after the delivery vehicle entered the driveway. According to court records, Pennington told deputies the driver had driven up the driveway at a high rate of speed and claimed the driver appeared to reach for a gun between the vehicle’s seats.
The delivery driver reportedly denied having a firearm but told Pennington that he did have one.
Court records indicate Pennington then began yelling and pointing at the driver, ordering him to back down the driveway. The driver reportedly told authorities he was hesitant to do so because dogs were running around the property.
Investigators said video footage showed Pennington striking the vehicle with his hands and shattering the front windshield. The broken glass allegedly caused cuts to both Pennington and a child who was inside the delivery vehicle at the time of the incident.
According to the report, Pennington went inside the residence after the windshield was broken. As the driver began backing away from the property, authorities said Pennington returned outside carrying a shotgun. Investigators noted the weapon was not pointed at anyone.
The driver then left the area, went to a nearby residence and called 911.
Following an investigation, authorities charged Pennington with two counts of aggravated assault, one count of child abuse and one count of vandalism.
The case remains under investigation.
