TN: No Charges in Birchfield, Sanders Domestic Shooting, Stabbing

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.

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