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Kingsport PD Searching for Aggravated Robbery Suspects (UPDATE #1)

SUBJECT:  Kingsport PD Searching for Aggravated Robbery Suspects (UPDATE #1)

DATE:  August 31, 2026

CASE #: 26-011663

 

GENERAL NARRATIVE

 

UPDATE:

 

William Burk has been arrested and is currently incarcerated in the Kingsport City Jail with a $15,000 bond. Justin Roberts has not yet been located.

 

AS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED:

 

This morning, at about 7:45 a.m., an off-duty Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Deputy witnessed two men attempting to rob another man near the traffic circle at Gibson Mill Road/East Ravine Road/Watauga Street. The Deputy saw that the two men attempting to rob the other man were armed, one with a large stick and the other with what appeared to be a metal pipe. The man they were attempting to rob was trying to defend himself with two pocketknives. The Deputy intervened, stopping the situation from escalating before any of the three men were injured. The two men attempting to rob the other man ran away from the off-duty Deputy; they were later identified as thirty-five (35) year-old Justin Roberts and twenty-six (26) year-old William Burk.

 

Kingsport Police Department responded and took over the investigation. Warrants charging Justin Roberts and William Burk each with one (1) count of Aggravated Robbery (T.C.A. 39-13-402) have been obtained and entered into the National Crime Information Center (N.C.I.C.)

 

The Kingsport Police Department thanks the off-duty Sullivan County Deputy who intervened before the situation deteriorated to the point where someone was hurt. We value our strong relationship with partner agencies.

 

Justin Roberts and William Burk should be considered dangerous; if observed, please call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not attempt to stop, engage, or otherwise approach either of these individuals.

 

If you have information on Justin or William’s whereabouts, contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

 

To report tips anonymously, use the online ‘Citizen Feedback’ form at: https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

 

SUSPECT INFORMATION

 

AT LARGE:

 

Name: Justin Roberts

Age: 35

Gender/Race: Male/White

Hair/Eyes: Brown/Brown

Height/Weight: 5’08″/130lbs

Charges:

  • One (1) count: Aggravated Robbery (T.C.A. 39-13-402)

 

IN CUSTODY:

 

Name: William Burk

Age: 26

Gender/Race: Male/White

Hair/Eyes: Brown/Blue

Height/Weight: 6’00″/181lbs

Charges:

  • One (1) count: Aggravated Robbery (T.C.A. 39-13-402)

 

 

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

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Kingsport Parks and Recreation offer Introduction to E-sports

It’s time to up your game and rise to the top of the leaderboards with the help of Kingsport Parks and Recreation.

Beginning in September, the City of Kingsport is offering a special month-long series – Introduction to E-sports. Classes will be held every Wednesday in September from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street).

Open to gamers ages 7 to 17 and the cost is only $10 per person.

Participants will be instructed each day about a variety of e-games, such as Fortnite, Rocket League and Fall Guys. Gamers will unite to hone their skills, connected with their fellow gamers and dive into the exciting world of electronic sports.

Kingsport Parks and Recreation will provide four Xbox Series X systems and four PlayStation 5 systems. Participants are welcome to bring their own console and controller.

To register, please visit https://bit.ly/4zmRdwP. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec Link in the Connect Kingsport app or by going to www.kingsporttn.gov and clicking on the “CivicRec” link, then searching for “esports” in the search bar.

For information about other activities, events and programs offered by Kingsport Parks and Recreation, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

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Registration open for Home School Physical Education classes

Kingsport Parks and Recreation is now accepting registrations for its Home School Physical Education classes.

The classes will take place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street) beginning in September and continuing through November. Additional classes will be held from January through May.

Open to children ages 5 to 13 with a cost of $20 per student per month.

Homeschool P.E. is designed to help promote fitness and activities for homeschooled children. Each class will focus on learning new abilities and drills for motor skill development. Classes will also consist of a fun and exciting team game or sport.

“Each class is designed to promote fitness and activities for home school children,” said Program Administrator Erin Larkin. “Not only will children get active and learn new drills, but they’ll also do so in a fun and exciting way.”

To register, visit https://bit.ly/4fvGjx7. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on “CivicRec,” then search for “home school” in the search bar.

For information about other events, activities and programs offered by Kingsport Parks and Recreation, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

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Bays Mountain Park debuts new planetarium show

Bays Mountain Park is excited to announce its latest planetarium show – Dark Side of Light – a fascinating exploration about the importance of preserving our night skies.

“Dark Side of Light” debuts September 1 and will be the main program through the end of the year. The 40-minute show will air at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

In “Dark Side of Light,” discover what light pollution is, how it affects our world and the simple steps we can take to protect our night skies.

For centuries, people have become accustomed to using artificial light after dark, treating it as a natural part of our lives. But it isn’t. Living organisms – including plants, animals, and humans – have adapted to the natural cycle of day and night for tens of millions of years.

“Our biological rhythms are closely tied to the rising and setting of the Sun each day. Disrupting this natural cycle with artificial light has serious consequences for our health, the environment, and the economy,” said Planetarium Director Jason Dorfman. “As artificial lighting continues to increase around the world, understanding its impacts has never been more important.”

“Dark Side of Light” concludes with a brief tour of the current night sky highlighting exactly how light pollution affects what we are able to see in the skies above. Visitors to Bays Mountain Park can also explore more about the effects of light pollution and ways to reduce it by visiting the “Light Pollution” section of the new Astronomy exhibit located in the gallery area around the planetarium.

The alternate planetarium feature showing Saturdays and Sunday at 2 p.m. through in September and October will be “Appalachian Skies.”

“Appalachian Skies” takes visitors on a majestic tour of the current evening sky using the Zeiss optical star projector. This live presentation is enhanced with additional content from our VELVET LED projectors for a wonderful, immersive experience.

Each presentation is guaranteed to be unique, due to the live nature of the program, and the natural progression of the changing night sky throughout the seasons. Learn what fascinating mythological constellations, from Ancient Greece and other cultures, will be easily visible. Find out what planets are easily seen as well. Visitors will take this knowledge home and be able to locate these celestial sights for themselves.

For more information about Bays Mountain Park and its programs, events and activities, visit www.baysmountain.com.

Kingsport PD Searching for Aggravated Robbery Suspects

SUBJECT:  Kingsport PD Searching for Aggravated Robbery Suspects

DATE:  August 27, 2026

CASE #: 26-011663

 

GENERAL NARRATIVE

 

This morning, at about 7:45 a.m., an off-duty Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Deputy witnessed two men attempting to rob another man near the traffic circle at Gibson Mill Road/East Ravine Road/Watauga Street. The Deputy saw that the two men attempting to rob the other man were armed, one with a large stick and the other with what appeared to be a metal pipe. The man they were attempting to rob was trying to defend himself with two pocketknives. The Deputy intervened, stopping the situation from escalating before any of the three men were injured. The two men attempting to rob the other man ran away from the off-duty Deputy; they were later identified as thirty-five (35) year-old Justin Roberts and twenty-six (26) year-old William Burk.

 

Kingsport Police Department responded and took over the investigation. Warrants charging Justin Roberts and William Burk each with one (1) count of Aggravated Robbery (T.C.A. 39-13-402) have been obtained and entered into the National Crime Information Center (N.C.I.C.)

 

The Kingsport Police Department thanks the off-duty Sullivan County Deputy who intervened before the situation deteriorated to the point where someone was hurt. We value our strong relationship with partner agencies.

 

Justin Roberts and William Burk should be considered dangerous; if observed, please call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not attempt to stop, engage, or otherwise approach either of these individuals.

 

If you have information on Justin or William’s whereabouts, contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

 

To report tips anonymously, use the online ‘Citizen Feedback’ form at: https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

 

SUSPECT INFORMATION

 

Name: Justin Roberts

Age: 35

Gender/Race: Male/White

Hair/Eyes: Brown/Brown

Height/Weight: 5’08″/130lbs

Charges:

  • One (1) count: Aggravated Robbery (T.C.A. 39-13-402)

 

Name: William Burk

Age: 26

Gender/Race: Male/White

Hair/Eyes: Brown/Blue

Height/Weight: 6’00″/181lbs

Charges:

  • One (1) count: Aggravated Robbery (T.C.A. 39-13-402)

 

 

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

Media Report

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Enjoy an Ice Cream Social at Kingsport’s Dogwood Park

Kingsport Parks and Recreation is celebrating our furry friends by hosting a special event this Sunday – an Ice Cream Social at Kingsport’s Dogwood Park.

The Ice Cream Social will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on August 30 at Kingsport’s Dogwood Park (800 Granby Road). The event is a great opportunity for dogs and humans alike to socialize with others, while enjoying some tasty treats from Sweet Treats ice cream truck.

There will be free pup cups for the dogs and ice cream for sale for the humans. The event is free and open for dogs of all shapes and sizes.

“Everyone loves sweet treats, especially our four-legged friends, so we’re encouraging dogs of all breeds to come with their owners to Dogwood Park this Sunday for a relaxing and fun evening,” said Program Administrator Erin Larkin.

Though the event is free, Kingsport Parks and Recreation officials are asking folks to register to know approximately how many pup cups will be needed.

To register, please visit https://bit.ly/4y7JemM. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on “CivicRec,” then search for “ice cream social” in the search bar.

For information about other events, activities and programs offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

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Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee