Jim David Adkisson was born on June 25, 1950. He served in the U.S. Army from 1974 to 1977. After his military service, he held various jobs but faced repeated layoffs and long-term unemployment. By 2008, at age 58, he was an unemployed truck driver living in Powell, Tennessee. Adkisson harbored deep resentment toward liberals, Democrats, African Americans, and the LGBTQ+ community, blaming them for his personal and societal grievances.

On July 27, 2008, Adkisson entered the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, during a children's performance of "Annie Jr." attended by approximately 200 people. Concealing a 12-gauge shotgun in a guitar case, he opened fire on the congregation, killing 60-year-old Greg McKendry, who shielded others from the gunfire, and 61-year-old Linda Kraeger. Six others were wounded before congregants subdued and restrained Adkisson until police arrived.

A four-page manifesto found in his vehicle revealed his motivations, expressing hatred for liberals and minorities, and a desire to incite similar acts of violence. He wrote that he intended to continue shooting until police killed him. ​

On February 9, 2009, Adkisson pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and six counts of attempted murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.