Winston GantMap
2401 Briggs Ave.
Red Bank police now are investigating Red Bank's first homicide of the year after a state representative's father-in-law was gunned down in a robbery over the weekend and died this morning, said Chief Tim Christol.
Winston Gant, who is Republican Rep. Gerald McCormick's father-in-law, died at a local hospital.
Gant was shot one time outside his front door at his home and business, Gant's Towing, at 2401 Briggs Ave. just before 1 a.m. on Saturday.
Gant was the father of McCormick's wife, Kim G. McCormick, who is associate vice president academic support services for Chattanooga State.
"Our family is dealing with the tragic personal consequences of an apparent armed robbery perpetrated against my father-in-law that led to his death," McCormick said in a statement.
Word of Gant's death spread quickly through state Capitol circles earlier in the day.
A woman, who was an employee and family friend, was also robbed of cash during the robbery. She was uninjured, Christol said.
The suspects are described as wearing dark clothing and leaving in a dark sedan. Outside of a robbery, it's unclear what the motive was in the shooting.
Police are working with neighboring law enforcement agencies to identify suspects, Christol said.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Layne Funeral Home on Ashland Terrace.
Anyone with any information can contact Red Bank police at 875-0167 or 877-2481.
Read more in tomorrow's Times Free Press.