Two Knoxville men have been arrested on first degree burglary charges and accused of subsequent assaults.

According to court records, on March 11th at approximately 1:00 am, Knoxville Police Officers were dispatched to an incomplete 911 call at a residence along E Robinson St. It was reported by the Marion County Dispatch Center that 911 was called twice and then the line was disconnected after both. The dispatch center then made contact with a female who was crying and the line was disconnected again.

Once arriving on scene, an officer saw the female victim with blood profusely coming out of her nose, as well as her face/torso covered in blood. The officer went inside and made contact with an adult victim, who also had blood profusely coming out of his nose, blood covering his face/torso, and a severed lip. The officer then made contact with another female victim who stated that she was struck twice in the face and had a cut on her lip.

The victims stated to police and claimed they were all assaulted by 18-year-old Zachary Rankin and one of the female victims and the adult victim was assaulted by 20-year-old Braydon Epping and stated that Rankin and Epping entered the residence unlawfully through a window without permission and upon surprise. After allegedly entering the residence unlawfully, Rankin and Epping repeatedly punched/assaulted the victims. The adult victim and one of the female victims were transported by ambulance to the Knoxville Hospital Emergency Room due to their injuries. 

Rankin and Epping are both charged with First Degree Burglary, which is a Class B Felony. Rankin faces three additional counts of assault while participating in a felony and Epping faces two counts of the same charge, which are all Class D Felonies.