01/29/10 - Obion County
Son Shoots
Father
By: Stephanie
Ryan
sryan@wbbjtv.com
sryan@wbbjtv.com
9:25 a.m.
Vernon Puttman, Jr.,
40, is dead this morning after he was shot twice by
his 17-year-old son Thursday night, according to
Obion County Sheriff Jerry Vastbinder.
Vastbinder said Puttman had been in an argument with his son, when he picked up a rifle and ordered his son to kneel on the floor. That is when Vastbinder said Puttman told his son, "I will introduce you to MY God."
But Vastbinder said Puttman did not shoot his son; instead, he pointed the rifle at his wife and pulled the trigger. Officers said the rifle malfunctioned and did not strike Puttman's wife.
Investigators said Puttman found another gun, then went outside and fired two shots into a car.
According to Vastbinder, while Puttman was outside, his son found another gun. Vastbinder said when Puttman walked back inside his home, his 17-year-old son shot him twice, killing him.
When officers responded to a call around 11:00 p.m., Vastbinder said a medical examiner pronounced Puttman dead on the scene. Puttman's body has been taken to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Memphis.
Vastbinder said he and District Attorney Thomas Thomas are discussing what charges-- if any-- will be filed against Puttman's son.
Vastbinder said Puttman had been in an argument with his son, when he picked up a rifle and ordered his son to kneel on the floor. That is when Vastbinder said Puttman told his son, "I will introduce you to MY God."
But Vastbinder said Puttman did not shoot his son; instead, he pointed the rifle at his wife and pulled the trigger. Officers said the rifle malfunctioned and did not strike Puttman's wife.
Investigators said Puttman found another gun, then went outside and fired two shots into a car.
According to Vastbinder, while Puttman was outside, his son found another gun. Vastbinder said when Puttman walked back inside his home, his 17-year-old son shot him twice, killing him.
When officers responded to a call around 11:00 p.m., Vastbinder said a medical examiner pronounced Puttman dead on the scene. Puttman's body has been taken to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Memphis.
Vastbinder said he and District Attorney Thomas Thomas are discussing what charges-- if any-- will be filed against Puttman's son.
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