KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Imagine going to your car, only to find your tires were slashed. It happened to more than 40 cars on the University of Tennessee campus Tuesday afternoon. Now, a student is facing felony charges.
The University of Tennessee Police Department said 29-year-old Skye Scialabba, of Knoxville, vandalized at least 48 vehicles across campus and several others off-campus, as reported by the Knoxville Police Department.
“I look down at my tires, and there were at least 20 people in the parking lot who got slashed,” said Kaelyn Bullard, a UT student who was working on campus when her tires got slashed.
UTPD and Knoxville Police Department tallied up a total of 48 reports of vandalism, on and off campus. Vehicles were also impacted in the Fort Sanders neighborhood and several staff parking lots.
“We came out here not really expecting anything, and sure enough, over half the lot is leaning on it side, slashed tires,” said Lexie Bennett, who works in the Vol Shop and parks on campus near the Student Union.
The incident happened in broad daylight. UTPD said Scialabba was taken into custody around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Officers said she was located and taken into custody within an hour of the first report.
“I had two right-side tires down,” said Clark Stookesbury, who parks in the lot across from Neyland Stadium. “Quite a few people that I work with and a lot of people I don’t know, some still sitting [in the lot] from yesterday that haven’t been moved who still have a tire down or two.”
Several people with slashed tires said they’re happy no one was hurt, but they’re now stuck with the bill. All the victims WVLT News spoke with said they’re hoping insurance will cover the damages.
“You just come to work to make money,” said Bennett. “You don’t really expect to drop $500 on tow and extra on tires, so it’s just really unfortunate.”
Scialabba has since been charged with felony vandalism, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession.
Police stated in court documents that officers found a .22 caliber handgun, ammo, drugs and a folding knife. Scialabba was taken to the Knox County Detention Center.
