According to the police officials, the 22-year-old suspect killed three members of his family and attempted to kill a fourth relative. The shooting occurred around 5:45 a.m. Friday. He was arrested three hours later and more than 100 miles away from the initial crime scene. Sheriff Rowland said that multiple firearms were in plain view, such as long guns and the 22-year-old suspect was actively wearing ballistic body armor.
Once arrested, the 22-year-old man, Nathanial Pipkin, gave a shocking answer when a reporter for WKRN-TV asked himif he had a comment.
Nathanial Pipkin said: “Self-defense.”
According to the police officials, the 22-year-old suspect from Tennessee had previous confrontations with the law and was arrested in March on an unlawful weapons possession charge.
The victims were later identified as 11-year-old sister Kailee Warren, 44-year-old mother Traci McNeely and 20-year-old stepbrother Carson Pipkin.
Authorities say the 22-year-old suspect attempted to kill a fourth family member, who was in the home at the time of the shooting.
Sheriff Rowland said that one person escaped through a window and fled to a nearby home to call 911. He didn’t confirm that it was McNeely’s husband.
The 22-year-old suspect surrendered to cops without incident. Now, he faces murder and attempted murder charges. Two GoFundMe accounts have been set up for the families’ final expenses.
GoFundMe Page – Carson Pipkin | McNeely Family Support
Image Source – Carson Pipkin | Kailee Warren | Traci McNeely