Police: Vinson not suspect in shooting; ex-Vol Ramar Smith sought in home invasion

Brent Vinson

Brent Vinson

Ramar Smith

KNOXVILLE — Police don’t believe a University of Tennessee football player was involved in an overnight shooting in South Knoxville.

Brent Vinson, 22, a defensive back with the football team, was questioned after the shooting but Knoxville Police Department Investigator A.J. Loeffler said this afternoon that Vinson is not considered a suspect.

“He’s just a witness,” Loeffler said.

Police also announced today they are seeking a former Vols basketball player in connection with a home invasion robbery but haven’t said if the two incidents are related.

“It is undetermined at this point if the incidents are connected,” KPD spokesman Darrell DeBusk said of the home invasion incident and the shooting at Woodlands Townhouses.

Charles Corn, age unavailable, was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center after the 11:41 p.m. Tuesday shooting, DeBusk said. He was listed in critical condition this afternoon.

KPD Lt. Dusty Lane said officers were alerted of a shooting at Woodlands Townhouses of Knoxville, 3700 Spruce Ridge Way. When they arrived, they found the victim and witnesses who related that two men were seen leaving the area after the shooting.

DeBusk said Corn was found in the living room of his apartment at Woodlands Townhouses. Corn had been shot multiple times. DeBusk declined to say the type of weapon or where on his body Corn was shot.

DeBusk said “there were several other individuals in the apartment at the time” of the shooting, including Vinson.

“We are also seeking to question Ramar Smith in regards to a home invasion incident that occurred May 18,” DeBusk said.

DeBusk said police want to question Smith, 21, about the 6:43 p.m. robbery Monday at Steeplechase Apartments, 5800 Central Avenue Pike. DeBusk said something was stolen during that home invasion, but he declined to identify what was taken.

Smith is from Mount Clemens, Mich., and was dismissed last year from the team by UT coach Bruce Pearl. Sources at that time told The News Sentinel the dismissal resulted from Smith’s violation of UT’s substance abuse policy and academic shortcomings.

Prior to his dismissal, Smith had been an All-SEC freshman selection. After his departure, Smith had been playing basketball in Europe.

More details as they develop online and in Thursday’s News Sentinel.

Staff writer J.J. Stambaugh contributed to this report.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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