Authorities in Warren County, Tennessee are investigating a tragic domestic incident that left three people dead Sunday in what officials believe to be a murder-suicide.
According to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at approximately 2:10 p.m. on March 8, 2026, to a request for a welfare check at a residence located at 264 Greenwood Drive, McMinnville, Tennessee.
When the responding deputy arrived at the home and conducted an initial assessment, additional officers were called to assist. After entering the residence, law enforcement discovered three individuals deceased inside the home.
Officials later identified the victims as Joseph Nicholas Shelton Jr., Randi Jean Shelton, and the couple’s 8-year-old daughter.
Investigators say preliminary findings indicate that Joseph Nicholas Shelton Jr. fatally shot Randi Jean Shelton and their young daughter before turning the weapon on himself. Authorities are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident as part of an ongoing investigation.
Jackie Matheny, sheriff of Warren County, addressed the tragedy in a statement released Monday, confirming that officials do not believe there is any threat to the public.
“This heartbreaking situation has impacted multiple families, including children who will forever carry the weight of this loss,” Matheny said, asking members of the community to keep those affected in their thoughts and prayers.
The sheriff also acknowledged the emotional toll such incidents can have on first responders and law enforcement personnel who were called to the scene and are tasked with investigating the circumstances of the deaths.
As the investigation continues, authorities say their focus remains on determining the full details surrounding the tragic event while offering support to the families and individuals affected by the loss.
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