TENNESSEE — A Knoxville man is facing an attempted murder charge after police said he attacked a sleeping acquaintance with a hammer inside an Old City apartment early Sunday morning.
According to the Knoxville Police Department, 54-year-old Robert Meade was charged with attempted murder following what investigators described as a violent assault.
Officers responded to an apartment on Lula Powell Drive at approximately 6:15 a.m. after receiving a report of an assault. When officers arrived, police said Meade opened the apartment door and stepped outside holding a hammer. He was ordered to drop the weapon and was taken into custody without further incident.
Investigators said the victim, a 53-year-old man, told officers he had known Meade for several years and had allowed him to stay overnight at the apartment. The victim reported that he was asleep when Meade allegedly woke him and began striking him in the head with a hammer.
Police said the victim was struck five times during the attack. He was transported to a hospital for treatment and is expected to recover from his injuries.
In addition to the attempted murder charge, Meade was also charged with possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia.
The investigation remains ongoing.
