Here are some of the high-profile local public safety stories in chronological order from 2020:
April 12: Adam Joseph Decker, 34, told investigators that a 9 mm weapon he was holding went off accidentally while he and Kristi Breland were cooking dinner on Easter Sunday. Decker told 911 dispatchers he had accidentally shot his live-in girlfriend at 107 M Coffey Lane, located in southern Washington County just below the Nolichucky River near Erwin. Deputies arrived to find Breland, 30, dead in the kitchen and Decker in the dining room. The couple had friends over earlier in the day for some target shooting. After the friends left, the couple went back into their residence and got into an alcohol-fueled argument, authorities said. Decker told police he decided to go to bed and when he picked up his pistol, it went off.
Man wanted in girlfriend s death shoots self, crashes near Bristol
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Man wanted in girlfriend s death shoots self, crashes near Bristol | Local News
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Update:
A Washington County murder suspect â who ultimately committed suicide â tried to get an acquaintance in Kingsport to buy him supplies for a getaway, but the suspectâs debit card was declined, according to new information released Thursday afternoon.
Ralph Eugene Davenport, 480 Ford Creek Road, Apt. 8, Gray, was suspected of killing Leslie Dawn Belt, 43, Tuesday afternoon. He left that scene in a white work-type van, which has since been located in Kingsport.
Washington County Chief Deputy Leighta Laitinen said her department received information around 8 a.m. Thursday from Kingsport police about an acquaintance of Davenportâs reporting their encounter.
âWe sent two investigators to interview the individual . he stated that Davenport showed up at his house (but) he was not driving the white van,â she said.
Update:
A Washington County murder suspect â who ultimately committed suicide â tried to get an acquaintance in Kingsport to buy him supplies for a getaway, but the suspectâs debit card was declined, according to new information released Thursday afternoon.
Ralph Eugene Davenport, 480 Ford Creek Road, Apt. 8, Gray, was suspected of killing Leslie Dawn Belt, 43, Tuesday afternoon. He left that scene in a white work-type van, which has since been located in Kingsport.
Washington County Chief Deputy Leighta Laitinen said her department received information around 8 a.m. Thursday from Kingsport police about an acquaintance of Davenportâs reporting their encounter.
âWe sent two investigators to interview the individual . he stated that Davenport showed up at his house (but) he was not driving the white van,â she said.