Tragedy Strikes White Pine – 8 Year Old Murdered, 11 Year Old Charged With 1st Degree
Jimmy Dunn, Attorney General for the 4th Judicial District and G.W. Bud McCoig, Jefferson County Tennessee Sheriff
Press Conference on October 4, 2015
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew
Jefferson County Sheriff G.W. “Bud” McCoig and Attorney General for the 4th Judicial District Jimmy Dunn, held a press conference on Sunday afternoon, October 4, 2015, concerning the October 3rd murder of an eight year old White Pine girl. According to Sheriff McCoig, the incident occurred around 7:26 pm on Saturday evening, when authorities were dispatched to a home on Robin Road in White Pine. Upon arrival they found an eight year old girl on the ground with a gun shot to the chest. She was transported to a Morristown Hospital and an autopsy was ordered.
An eleven year old boy, who was a neighborhood playmate of the victim, has been arrested and charged with first degree murder. McCoig stated that the boy shot the victim from inside his home and a 12 gauge, single shot, shotgun was recovered from the scene, that belonged to the parents of the shooter. The boy is currently being held in juvenile detention, though not at Mountain View, and is awaiting an 11am hearing that has been set for Monday, October 5th. Attorney General Dunn stated that the hearing will be closed and the Judge will determine the proceedings.
Sheriff McCoig asked for prayers for the families of the children, as well as members of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, the White Pine Police Department, EMS and other First Responders that were involved with the tragic incident. He said that names of the juveniles are not being released at this time and the investigation, including possible motives, is still on going. DCS was contacted and there are other children in both the home of the victim and the accused.
McCoig said “ The department and officers involved, as well as the other first res ponders are handling the issue by the grace of God.” Chaplains and Pastors from local churches have been available for those in need. Both the victim and the accused are students at White Pine School, in the 3rd and 5th grade respectively. Extra Resource Officers will be at the school on Monday, as well as counselors, to help with any student issues or questions that might arise. McCoig stated that school personnel met on Sunday to coordinate efforts to help students in this sad, stressful time.
Updates will be released as more information becomes available.
