2 dead in murder-suicide at Putnam County birthday party
Friends and family members were gathered for an 80th birthday party when the deadly shooting happened.
BAXTER, Tenn. (WSMV) - Two people are dead after a murder-suicide at a birthday party in Putnam County on November 5, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
The PCSO said Randall Eldridge, 63, and Bobby Andrew Phy, age 56, were found dead in the driveway of a home on Walnut Road around 8:00 p.m. on Monday.
Authorities said witnesses reported an argument between the two men outside, during an 80th birthday party, before Phy shot Eldridge with a handgun and then shot himself.
Investigators said a feud between the two dating back at least ten years may have played a role in the shooting.
“The family and family members having the 80th birthday party are highly respected and upstanding citizens in our community. This is certainly a sad tragedy for this family and unfortunate that this incident occurred,” Sheriff Farris said.
Both Eldridge and Phy were from Putnam County.
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