Buell Cody Thomason, 39, is dead, and Rhonda Gayle Deal, 51, of Grassy Creek Road, Copperhill, has been arrested and charged with First Degree Murder.
The Polk County 911 Center received a call at approximately 8:31 Friday night, August 22, in reference to a shooting at 266 Grassy Creek Road.
When sheriff’s deputies and EMS personnel arrived, they found Thomason on the front walkway of the residence. It appeared he had suffered a single gunshot wound to the face, according to a statement from Detective Cody Day of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Thomason was declared dead at the scene.
Day’s statement said investigators determined through interviews that Deal, identified as Thomason’s girlfriend, was the shooter.
An argument had erupted over Thomason borrowing or taking a bag belonging to another resident of the residence. Thomason used the bag to carry personal items. One witness told investigators about 30 minutes had passed since the argument, and things had been calm before the gunshot rang out, according to Day’s statement.
A single shot, .410 guage shotgun, identified as the gun used in the shooting, was found and seized when the scene was processed by investigators, according to Day’s statement. The shotgun was loaded with slug type ammunition.
Thomason’s body was sent to the Knoxville Regional Forensic Center for an autopsy.
Deal is being held in the Polk County Jail with a bond not determined as of Monday.