Monday, December 7, 2009

Tullahoma, TN: Moore County couple dies in apparent murder/suicide

Despite a quick response to a Thursday domestic violence call, Moore County Sheriff’s Department personnel arrived to hear gunshots followed by two deaths in what they deem is a husband and wife murder/ suicide.

Deputies arrived at a Gass Lane residence, off Highway 55, three minutes after receiving a domestic violence call, and they were met with the sound of gunshots. Once inside the residence Sheriff Mark Logan and his deputies found Joe Gass, 67, and Deborah Gass, 59, dead from gunshot wounds.

According to Logan, offi cers received the call from a woman, who was later determined to be the shooting victim. The caller advised that the "man was sitting on the couch" armed and waiting for anybody to enter.

"Shortly after we arrived we heard two gunshots," Sheriff Logan said Friday.

Before entering the residence the sheriff and deputies then made several attempts to make contact with anyone inside the house but were unable to do so.

Logan and members of the sheriff’s Department then entered the house where they found the couple dead. They each died of a single gunshot wounds to the head from a .38 caliber pistol.

Sheriff Logan said his department has responded to domestic violence calls at the address in the past.

The sheriff said that Joe Gass suffered from posttraumatic stress syndrome related to his military service in the Vietnam War.

Logan added that Bedford County Sheriff Randall Boyce and several of his deputies happened to hear the call on the police radio about the problems at the residence and they responded to assist "in any way they could."

The couple’s bodies are at Moore Cortner Funeral Home in Winchester where funeral services will be held.

by WAYNE THOMAS

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