Prosecutors Drop Case Against Knoxville Man Accused in 2021 Ambush of Austin-East Students
Overview
The Knox County District Attorney's Office has dropped charges against Ahmad Gatlin, who was previously convicted of attempted murder in connection with a 2021 shooting involving students from Austin-East Magnet High School. This decision follows a recent judicial ruling that overturned Gatlin's conviction and ordered a new trial.
Key Details
- Incident: The shooting occurred in January 2021 as two students, including 17-year-old Johnkelian "John John" Mathis and an unnamed female, were leaving Austin-East Magnet High School. Shots were fired from another vehicle, forcing the victims to seek refuge in a convenience store restroom.
- Legal Proceedings: Gatlin was initially found guilty on all charges. Two other teenagers were also tried: Rashan Jordan was acquitted, and the jury could not reach a verdict for Deondre Davis. All three were minors at the time but were tried as adults.
- Recent Developments: Judge Steven Sword of Knox County Criminal Court overturned Gatlin's conviction and ordered a new trial after Gatlin's legal team requested the convictions be vacated or a new trial be granted. Following this, the District Attorney's office decided to drop all charges against Gatlin as of June 2, 2025.
- Related Cases: Davis and Jordan are currently serving life sentences for the separate 2021 murder of Stanley Freeman Jr. Mathis, one of the original shooting victims, was later fatally shot in August 2021, and that case remains unsolved as of June 2025