Nashville police charge 85-year-old man with killing grandson

Monday, August 12, 2013

NASHVILLE - Police in Nashville have charged an 85-year-old man in the fatal shooting of his grandson.

Investigators said John Watkins was charged with criminal homicide Monday.

Watkins is charged in the shooting death of 30-year-old Ben Phillips inside the family's home. Watkins' wife reported the incident shortly before 6 a.m. CDT.

Online jail records said Watkins was being held on $100,000 bond but did not indicate whether he was being represented by a lawyer.

Police arrived to find Phillips dead in his bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head.

Detective Johnny Crumby said the man complained that Phillips was constantly threatening him and his wife and was the source of problems in the home.