The victim was found in an SUV off Bonnie View Avenue Saturday night. (Google Map)

Knoxville Police are investigating a homicide after responding to a call about shots fired to find a man dead in a vehicle near the Knoxville Zoo on Saturday night, Jan. 5, the victim’s birthday.

Investigators continue to conduct interviews and review evidence recovered from the scene. Knoxville Police Department Public Information Officer Darrell DeBusk

said the victim has been identified as 37-year-old Leslie Guy Byford, IV, of Knoxville.

At approximately 8:27 P.M. KPD oficers responded to a reported shooting call at 3825 Bonnie View Ave.

Knoxville Police Department Violent Crimes Unit Supervisor Sgt. Chris J. Bell reported officers located a gold GMC SUV down an embankment across the street from 3825 Bonnie View Ave.

Sgt. Bell said, “One male driver was located in the vehicle deceased. Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and conducted interviews of possible witnesses to the shooting. After processing the scene, the deceased victim was transported to the U.T. Forensic Center and the SUV was towed to a secured location for further processing by criminalistics. Investigator Brandon Wardlaw is the lead investigator at this time.  If there are any individuals with information about this case, please call 215-7017 or the crime/drug hotline 215-7212.

BY WES HALL

W.HALL@THEKNOXVILLEJOURNAL.COM