District attorney general releases names of deceased in alleged murder/suicide

UDPATED @ 3:17 p.m., March 13, 2023

Bryant Dunaway, district attorney general for the 13^th Judicial District, has released the names of the two deceased individuals involved in a murder/suicide, on March 12.

According to Dunaway, Ray Phillips, of Country Club Road, shot and killed his neighbor, George Nikkel. After Phillips shot Nikkel, Phillips reportedly went into his home and shot himself.

Dunaway said White County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene, and deputies were not sure if Phillips was still alive and had possibly barricaded himself in his house. However, deputies were able to make entry into Phillips’ residence where he was found deceased, according to Dunaway.

The investigation is ongoing and is being handled by the TBI.

ORIGINAL POST on March 12, 2023

At approximately 7 a.m., March 12, White County E-911 received a call about gunshots on Country Club Road.

Emergency units responded to the scene. Unconfirmed reports at this time are that two individuals are dead.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the investigation. More details will be provided as soon as they are available.