No charges in stabbing, shooting deaths at Jean Shepard's Hendersonville home
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Hendersonville Police said no charges will be filed against the widower of late country music singer Jean Shepard in deaths at his home Saturday.
Police said Benny Birchfield, Shephard’s widower, 79, fired shots to “neutralize the threat” at Elnora Court over the weekend. Police said Birchfield shot five times in self-defense and killed Travis Sanders, 21. Birchfield said he was trying to protect his granddaughter, Ice Hawkins, 18.
Hawkins was found alive in the home, but passed away on the way to the hospital from injuries sustained in the stabbing.
Police said Birchfield confronted Sanders about 3 a.m. after hearing commotion. That's when Sanders stabbed Birchfield and he fired shots.
Police found Birchfield in the front lawn with stab wounds. He was taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery and is recovering.
A .38 caliber pistol was found in Birchfield’s bedroom. Police also identified the stabbing weapon as a knife with a 10 inch blade.
Police said Hawkins and Sanders were boyfriend and girlfriend, but the victim’s mother told police Hawkins had apparently been trying to call the relationship off.
No charges are expected to be filed.
A motive has not been identified. Police are asking anyone with information to give them a call. The investigation remains open.
