Crime
14-month-old Elliot Whitaker raped and murder by Easton Vance in Kingsport
A 14-month-old child died following a violent incident in Kingsport, Tennessee, prompting a homicide investigation and the indictment of a 20-year-old man on multiple felony charges, authorities confirmed.
According to the Kingsport Police Department (KPD), officers and emergency responders were dispatched on October 21, 2024, to a residence in the 3800 block of Eastline Drive after receiving a report of an unresponsive child.
Upon arrival, first responders located 14-month-old Elliot Whitaker unresponsive inside the residence.
Life-saving measures were immediately initiated, and the child was transported to Indian Path Medical Center, where he was later pronounced deceased.
An autopsy was conducted at the Williams L. Jenkins Forensic Center, where the medical examiner determined that the child had suffered severe and extensive injuries.
The manner of death was officially ruled a homicide, according to investigative findings.
Following the investigation, a Sullivan County grand jury returned an indictment charging Easton Joshua Vance, 20, with multiple felony offenses in connection with the childโs death.
The charges include:
- Three counts of first-degree murder
- Aggravated child abuse
- Aggravated rape of a child
- Aggravated child neglect
- Aggravated criminal trespass
Court documents state that the aggravated criminal trespass charge stems from allegations that Vance unlawfully entered or remained at Miller Village Apartments, knowing he was not permitted to be on the property.
Prosecutors allege this violation is connected to a prior aggravated robbery charge, though details of that case were not immediately released.
Vance remains incarcerated at the Sullivan County Jail pending further court proceedings.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing.
As with all criminal cases, the charges outlined in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA โ A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple Universityโs campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple Universityโs Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
โThe loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victimโs family and loved ones.โ
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victimโs last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individualโs involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.