Altercation end when a rifle is fired

An alleged domestic dispute between two brothers escalated when a shot was fired last Sunday, officials have said.

Around 6 p.m. deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the Long Hollow area at the residence of 887 Marineer Point Road in LaFollette.

The victim, Robert Douglas, was found with a gunshot wound to the abdomen, according to Campbell County Sheriff Gary Perkins.

His brother, Kenneth Michael Douglas, 39, of LaFollette, is believed to have been the one who fired the shot and was arrested in the incident, according to Perkins.

“Several adults were watching a football game and consuming alcoholic beverages when an argument erupted between the two brothers,” said Perkins in a press release.

According to Perkins, while alcohol was present there were no drugs found in the house.

When Perkins and sheriff’s department detectives arrived on the scene it was learned t the confrontation started in an upstairs bedroom of the residence,

“The physical confrontation ended when Kenneth Douglas picked up a (.22) rifle and shot his brother in the abdomen,” said Perkins about the situation that allegedly began as an argument.

According to Perkins, the Douglas brothers were arguing over the victim’s girlfriend. The victim was transported to St. Mary’s hospital and later moved to UT Medical Center by LifeStar.

Perkins said the victim’s condition was stable on Tuesday morning.

“The investigation is continuing,” said Perkins.

Kenneth Douglas was charged with aggravated assault by domestic violence. He was released from jail with a $5,000 bond.