Daniel Scott Arwood, 39, was found guilty of First Degree Murder and Evading Arrest by a Knox County jury, District Attorney Charme Allen announced Friday. The conviction stems from the fatal shooting of Arwood’s former employer at a school bus transportation facility on Middlebrook Pike in February 2024.
Following a four-day trial, Judge Hector Sanchez delivered a life sentence to Arwood after hearing emotional victim impact statements. Assistant District Attorneys Jeannine Guzolek and Jordan Murray presented evidence detailing the events of February 5, 2024, when Knoxville Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting.
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The investigation, led by KPD Det. Thomas Thurman, revealed that the victim, who owned the bus business, had recently terminated Arwood, a friend, from his employment the previous week. Although Arwood had been allowed to reside in a room at the warehouse, he was scheduled to vacate the premises on the day of the shooting.
Eyewitness accounts presented during the trial described a confrontation in the parking lot between Arwood and the victim. According to testimony, Arwood produced a shotgun and fired twice at his former boss. The victim attempted to flee between two buses, but Arwood pursued him, firing a third and fatal shot.
Arwood then fled the scene in his vehicle. When later located by Knoxville Police, he engaged in a high-speed pursuit, reaching speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit assisted in tracking Arwood, ultimately leading to his apprehension.
“I am proud of the team effort that came together to apprehend this individual and bring him to justice,” stated District Attorney Allen.
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The life sentence imposed on Arwood carries a requirement that he serve fifty-one years before becoming eligible for parole.
He is also scheduled to be sentenced on July 2 for the Evading Arrest conviction. Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Kim Strike and Legal Secretary Connie Watts provided crucial support during the prosecution of the case.
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