Man receives 30-year sentence for fatal shooting of local teen

HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. — On April 7, 2026, Bishop Owens, 21, pled guilty in the Circuit Court of Haywood County before the Honorable Clayburn Peeples to Second Degree Murder, with a sentence of 30 years at 100% to serve in the Tennessee Department of Correction.

Owens also pled to three Counts of Aggravated Assault and three Counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, for an effective sentence of 10 years of supervision after serving his 30-year prison sentence. This is a total sentence of 40 years, and by pleading guilty, Owens has waived his right to appeal. During his incarceration, Owens must complete educational and vocational classes, Moral Reconation Therapy, and mental health counseling; he must maintain full-time employment and comply with mandatory drug screening upon his release.

On February 10, 2023, after attending a basketball game at Ripley High School, Bishop Owens, who was 17 years old, was a passenger in co-defendant Kevion Davis’s vehicle, who intentionally pursued another vehicle occupied by four teenagers traveling back to Brownsville. Both Owens and Davis shot at the other car multiple times, which was driven by the 18-year-old brother of an acquaintance with whom Owens and Davis had a dispute.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Davis convicted of second degree murder of honor student

Christine Michael, a 16-year-old passenger, was shot and killed, and another 13-year-old passenger was struck by the gunfire.

“Christine Michael was an intelligent, beautiful young lady, President of her Class at Haywood High School, who had her whole bright life before her. Owens took that away from her with his violent, senseless acts, and her family will forever mourn her great loss. Although 30 years in prison will not make amends for his terrible crimes, it will ensure that he receives justified punishment and bring closure to his case, curtailing his appellate options. We thank the Haywood Co. Sheriff’s Department, Brownsville Police Department, Ripley Police Department, and the T.B.I. for their hard work in this case.”

-District Attorney General Frederick H. Agee

This case was prosecuted by District Attorney General Frederick H. Agee and Assistant District Attorney Nina W. Seiler.

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