McMinn man charged in fatal shooting

Triston Stephens.
Triston Stephens.
photo Triston Stephens.

A McMinn County man is behind bars charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of another man during a fight Wednesday at a home on County Road 208, south of Athens, Tenn.

McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy said in a statement that the incident happened at the home of Angie Branham, a home she shared with victim, 52-year-old Ricky J. Charles.

Investigators charged 19-year-old Triston Stephens, of the same address, with second-degree murder in the incident. Stephens is being held on $50,000 bond.

"A little after 6 p.m. [Wednesday], Deputy Sgt. Danny Jones and Deputy Brian Alexander responded to the report of a shooting at the residence, and found the victim already deceased," Guy said. "Detectives arrived shortly thereafter as it became clear that several persons were involved in the fight and someone had fired a shot that apparently resulted in Mr. Charles' death. It was also clear that some of the persons involved had left the scene prior to the arrival of our officers."

As authorities worked at the crime scene and interviewed witnesses, other officers kept looking for suspects.

Meanwhile, Stephens and an unidentified person turned up at the McMinn County Justice Center where they were questioned and Stephens was booked in Charles' death.

"Based on the evidence and the statements of all involved, one person was charged in the crime," Guy said.

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