Dispute between 1 couple leads to killing of another couple

Published 9:38 am Wednesday, March 25, 2020

KNOXVILLE (AP) — A domestic dispute between a Tennessee couple led to the fatal shooting of another couple, authorities said.

Ronnie Edward Johnson, 31, of Alcoa, was in a dispute with his fiancée while driving through a Knox County neighborhood Saturday night when the woman escaped and ran to a nearby home with a porch light on, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported citing an arrest warrant.

Authorities say Johnson rammed the vehicle into the home in an attempt to run down the woman, and then shot the occupants. Boyd Michael Beets and his wife, Doris Campbell Beets, both 67, were killed.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputies took Johnson into custody at the scene.

He was jailed on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated domestic assault. It wasn’t immediately clear whether he has an attorney.