In a story published by the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Knoxville and Knox County have logged the highest number of killings in Tennessee reported in almost 20 years.  In 2017, 30 homicides have occurred within the Knoxville city limits in 2017, and six killings have occurred in Knox County. According to the nonprofit Murder Accountability Group, with a month still to go in 2017, these are the highest figures since 1998, when 40 homicides investigations were carried out. Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch says an increase in heroin and fentanyl dealing has led to more violence. Chief Rausch comments that arrests have been made in 14 of those cases. All six cases handled by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office have been closed, including two fatal shootings by sheriff’s deputies.