Robert Meade, 54, was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder following a violent assault in an apartment on Lula Powell Drive.

At around 6:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to a report of an assault with a hammer at 1100 Lula Powell Drive. As officers arrived on scene, Meade opened the door to the apartment and stepped out with a hammer in his hand. Officers commanded Meade to drop the hammer, then quickly took him into custody.

The victim, a 53-year-old man, told officers he had known Meade for several years and was allowing him to stay overnight at his apartment. He said he was asleep in bed, and Meade woke him up and began striking him in the head with a hammer. The victim was struck approximately five times. He was transported to UT Medical Center and is expected to recover.

Meade was charged with attempted first-degree murder and possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia.