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Police: 86-Year-Old Shoots Caregiver

Posted: 2:25 pm EST November 3, 2009Updated: 5:55 am EST November 4, 2009

Smyrna police took an 86-year-old man into custody Tuesday afternoon after he allegedly shot his caregiver in the head in a domestic dispute.

Lt. Robert Harvey with the Smyrna Police Department said the elderly man, identified as Thomas Brannon, shot his live-in caregiver, Kathleen Jones, at his home on Brookview Lane in Smyrna just before 1 p.m.

"The suspect had shot his live-in caretaker, the 54-year-old female, in the head. She was able to make it out of the house and she called police," said Harvey.


Police: Elderly Man Shoots Caregiver
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The fire department arrived on the scene and treated the victim before she was taken to the hospital. Her head was grazed by the bullet. Jones was released from Atlanta Medical Center a few hours later.

Channel 2 Action News reporter Ross Cavitt spoke with Jones after she was released from the hospital.

"I'm still in shock. I was shocked he did it," said Jones.

Jones said Brannon told her to lay down and rest. A short time later, she said she felt her head was on fire.

"He was still trying to pick the gun up and I just hit the door and went out and somebody dialed 911," said Jones.

Police said the man complained Monday that he believed there was some type of forgery or fraud going on concerning his caregiver.

"As far as I know right now, it was a domestic dispute. There could be some issues with a flimflam or some kind of money issue going on behind the scenes on this which escalated into a domestic which escalated into the shooting," said Harvey.

Police said Brannon was convinced Jones had stolen money from him. The dispute got so heated Monday that she called 911 and police came out the home.

Officers thought tempers had cooled but 24 hours later officers surrounded Brannon's house asking him to come out peacefully. He did -- using his walker to slowly come out to be handcuffed.

Cavitt asked Jones if the incident was going to change her mind about being a caregiver.

"No, it's just going to change my mind about being a caregiver for him," said Jones.

Charges are pending against Brannon.

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