Sevier County man arrested for teen girlfriend's fatal shooting
Member Center:
By ANN KEIL
6 News Reporter
SEVIERVILLE (WATE) -- A Sevier County man is accused of gunning down his 18-year-old girlfriend Tuesday night.
Jacob Stanton, 21, is charged with second degree murder in the death of Leah Avril, of Sevierville.
Stanton is one Avril's friends on her MySpace page.
Sevier County deputies say they got a report about the shooting Tuesday evening just before 6:00.
When they got to Murrell Meadows Drive, they found Avril in an apartment with a gunshot wound to her chest.
She was flown to UT Medical Center by Lifestar, but she died.
"I ran over there, and the girl is laying on the bed so I put a towel over her chest, and I'm holding her chest," says Stanton's neighbor, Bill Parker.
He says Stanton almost broke down his door Tuesday night as he pleaded for help. Minutes earlier, Stanton allegedly shot Advil.
Detectives say the two were dating. Stanton was arrested at the scene.
"He was frantic. He was crying about it. He was like, 'It's an accident.' That was all he kept telling me, 'I didn't mean it. I was moving the gun, and the gun went off,'" Parker says.
"I'm shocked, yeah, but it still doesn't feel like it happened," says Aaron Medlin, one of Avril's classmates.
Medlin says he met Avril in choir in third grade. They both went to Sevier County High School, and they continued on to Walters State Community College.
He says she will be greatly missed. "I cheered with her my freshman and sophomore year at Sevier County High School, and at cheer camps. She was nothing but smiles, nothing but smiles."
The sheriffs' department is still investigating the fatal shooting.
"It's a sad day for the girls' parents. I feel bad for the parents. I really do," Parker says.
Stanton is being held at the Sevier County Jail on a $1 million bond. He's scheduled to be in court for a preliminary hearing on December 4.
Sevier County High School is making counselors available to students.
Comments Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. By submitting a comment, you agree to these
Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register See all comments |
