From the Chattanooga Times Free Press: An Etowah man has been charged in the fatal shooting of his father after investigators and autopsy results
From the Chattanooga Times Free Press: An Etowah man has been charged in the fatal shooting of his father after investigators and autopsy results discounted the possibility of suicide, according to authorities in McMinn County.
Jason Dillard, 46, is being held on a $200,000 bond on a charge of second-degree criminal homicide in the death of Roger Dillard, 68, whose body was found with a fatal gunshot wound Thursday, according to a news release from the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office.
On Dec. 28, McMinn deputies responded to a County Road 475 home near Etowah on a report of someone with a fatal gunshot wound, the news release states. They made contact with Jason Dillard, who also lived at the residence, Haley Martin, who had been outside, and Annette Dillard, who lives next door.
Inside, the officers found Roger Dillard, who is Jason Dillard’s father, deceased and lying in the living room with a gunshot wound, the release states.
According to an affidavit filed in General Sessions Court, Jason Dillard initially told authorities he was walking out of the house when he heard a “bang” from inside the residence and went back in and found his father with a gunshot wound to his head.
Martin told authorities she was outside in the driveway when she heard Roger Dillard yell from inside the residence, “I’m done with you,” and then heard a loud boom, the affidavit states. About three minutes later Martin said she saw Jason Dillard walk out of the residence and go to a house next door.
Annette Dillard said she was at her home when Jason Dillard suddenly walked in saying his father had been shot and needed help, the affidavit states. Annette Dillard went to look and found Roger Dillard lying on the floor but was unable to help him. She said she saw no weapons.
Detectives found a Remington 870 pump shotgun about 20 feet from the body, the affidavit states.
In a second interview, Jason Dillard told a different story but denied wrongdoing, according to the affidavit. He said he and his father were the only people in the house during the incident.
“Jason Dillard stated that he was standing in the doorway of his bedroom and his father, Roger Dillard, was standing outside of his bedroom doorway about 4 to 5 feet away,” the affidavit states. “Jason Dillard stated that he knocked the 12-gauge Remington shotgun over from being propped up against the wall and went off hitting his father in the top of the head. Jason Dillard stated that it was an accident and that he would never hurt his dad.”
Meanwhile, detectives continued to probe, the sheriff said.
“Over the next several days, as the investigation progressed and an autopsy was performed, it became clear that the situation did not reflect that of a suicide,” Sheriff Joe Guy said in the release. “Rather, it became evident that Jason Dillard had fired the shot which resulted in the death of his father, Roger Dillard, during an argument they were having.”
Jason Dillard was taken into custody Sunday.
According to the affidavit and McMinn County court records, Jason Dillard has been convicted of domestic assault and assault against Roger Dillard in 2011. He had no attorney on record, court officials said.
