Tammy Renee Robinson Wooten, a 39-year-old woman from Bessemer City, North Carolina, tragically passed away on June 16, 2008. She was born on April 30, 1969, in Anderson, South Carolina, and was the daughter of Judy Cothran Robinson and the late William Tony Robinson. Tammy was a victim of domestic violence, which ultimately led to her untimely death.
On the day of her death, Tammy and her husband, Forest William Wooten, had recently moved into a new house in Bessemer City. They were assisted by Forest's cousin, Bobby Hamrick, who was staying with them for several days. On the night of June 16, 2008, after a day of heavy drinking and taking Xanax and Hydrocodone pills, Forest ran into the room where Bobby was inflating an air mattress and yelled, "Call 911 for Tammy".
When the first officer arrived at the scene, he found Tammy lying on her back with a gunshot wound through her right eye. Forest's grandmother, Eula Robinson, who lived in a trailer directly behind their house, told the officer that Forest had come to her trailer that evening and said, "I killed her, she's dead." She also mentioned that Forest had previously pointed a gun at Tammy and had slapped her across the face a few days prior.
Forest was taken to Gaston Memorial Hospital with breathing difficulties, where he confessed to his treating physician that he had shot his wife. He was later taken to the police department for an interview, during which he told several different stories about what had happened to Tammy but maintained that he was the one who shot her.
Forest William Wooten was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and sentenced to 189 to 236 months in prison. The case highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues to prevent further tragedies.
