Brownsville shooting ruled self-defense
FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL FREDERICK AGEE:
On February 10, 2024, at approximately 1:07 a.m., officers from the Brownsville Police Department responded to 1034 Tammbell St. on a report of a shooting. They found Terreo Bates (20 years old) shot multiple times in the living room of the apartment residence of Martez Palmer (33 years old); Mr. Palmer was determined to be the shooter. Mr. Bates was pronounced dead on the scene. Officers took Mr. Palmer and two other individuals into custody for further investigation.
The Brownsville Police Department, assisted by the Haywood County Sheriff’s Department, presented to our office the facts, statements, and evidence of their investigation, and after careful evaluation of the foregoing, the D.A.’s Office has determined the shooting to be in self-defense. Mr. Bates was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior domestic violence conviction. On the night of the incident, Mr. Bates illegally possessed a firearm and displayed it in a threatening manner, causing Mr. Palmer to fear for his life. Therefore, Mr. Palmer is not criminally responsible for any level of Homicide under Tennessee law.
Our office is focused on removing violent offenders from the community. However, in this case, we understand that a person has a right to stand their ground in self-defense inside their own home, and citizens who are not prohibited from possessing a firearm have a right to own them under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Frederick H. Agee, District Attorney General
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