Authorities in Franklin County, Tennessee, have arrested a Tullahoma man on charges of first-degree murder and continue to seek two other men in connection with a shooting Saturday that left an Estill Springs man dead.
Brent Paul Moon, 21, was identified Monday as a person of interest in the slaying that left James Eric Hanger dead. Moon was taken into custody on Tuesday, said Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller. Moon is charged with first-degree murder and no bond had been set by Tuesday afternoon, the sheriff said. He has a court date Aug. 3 in Franklin County General Sessions Court.
Meanwhile, authorities are still seeking two other unidentified men who were reportedly with Moon, Fuller said.
The arrest stems from a shooting at a home in the 1300 block of Pleasant Grove Road on Saturday, according to department spokesman Sgt. Chris Guess.
The scene of the shooting is in a relatively rural residential area several miles west of Estill Springs where homes are loosely spaced but within sight of one another.
According to authorities, Moon appeared at the Pleasant Grove Road home and asked to speak to the resident of the home, Hanger, around 5 p.m. CDT Saturday. Guess said in a statement that Moon allegedly entered Hanger's home and was followed "after a short time" by the other two men, who were described wearing black masks and clothing.
Authorities allege one of the men demanded money at gunpoint, an argument began and the deadly shot was fired by the perpetrator during a struggle for control of the weapon, Guess said. After the shot was fired, all three men fled.
Hanger was pronounced dead at the scene, Guess said.
Fuller said investigators are seeking any information related to the other suspects and the incident and urge anyone who can help to contact Lt. George Dyer at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at 931-308-9420 or Franklin County communications at 931-967-2331.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.