A welfare check on May 10, 2026 at an apartment on Lula Powell Drive in Knoxville turned into a homicide investigation when 31-year-old Perry Baker was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead. Officers determined he had sustained at least one gunshot wound, and investigators described the incident as a robbery gone wrong. Baker was originally from Michigan.

Surveillance footage from the area showed two men entering the apartment and fleeing shortly after the time authorities believe the shooting occurred. Within days the Knoxville Police Department identified and arrested 25-year-old Deontae Buford of Knoxville on May 13, 2026. Buford was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony; he was also found to be a fugitive wanted on child abuse charges in Michigan. The second man seen in the video remained being sought as the investigation continued.

Did anyone in Knoxville recognize the two men from the surveillance footage or have information about who was at the Lula Powell Drive apartment that evening?