Newport, Tennessee



From the Knoxville News of January 2, 2005

Cocke County man, 24, shot by father



Authorities are investigating the death of a Cocke County man who was shot by his father on New Year's Eve.



According to the Cocke County Sheriff's Department, Jake Cassidy James, 24, of Newport was fatally shot by his father, Homer James, 56, at the elder James' residence.



Chief Detective Robert Caldwell said the incident began at 7:15 p.m. when Jake James attempted to enter his parents' Branch Road home, which is adjacent to his.



"The parents would not open the door, and so he fired two arrows at the front door. Both were found beside the door," Caldwell said.



Homer James then called 911 requesting that a deputy come to his home. While officers were responding, the elder James placed a second call saying that he had shot his son, according to the detective.



Caldwell said after shooting the arrows, Jake James reportedly kicked open the front door and vandalized the residence.



When the son attempted to assault his father in a bedroom, investigators say he was shot in the head with a .38 caliber handgun.



The victim's mother, Peggy James, fled the home to the nearby residence of a relative before the shooting occurred.



An autopsy was ordered to determine if the victim was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident, Caldwell said.



Jake James was arrested Dec. 16 on aggravated assault charges. Investigators alleged that he shot his cousin, Curtis James, 42 of Cosby in the leg during an October altercation at a residence in the Hartford community. He was out of jail on bond at the time of the Friday evening shooting.