In the quiet town of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, a heartbreaking tragedy unfolded on January 28, 2022, claiming the life of 6-year-old Riley Pitts, a female student at Joelton Elementary School. The devastating event took place within the family's home on Greer Road, sending ripples of shock and sorrow through the community. Riley, along with her 13-year-old sister MaKayla Kleinert and their 32-year-old mother Barbara Pitts, became the victims of a violent act perpetrated by their father,
32-year-old James 'Travis' Pitts.
The morning's horrific events began to unravel at 6:21 a.m. when James Travis Pitts himself dialed 911. In a chilling confession to the dispatcher, he stated that he had shot his wife and two daughters and intended to take his own life when the police arrived. Pitts explained that he was grappling with mental health issues and had 'snapped.' While the dispatcher worked to keep him on the line, an off-duty police sergeant who was nearby was the first to arrive at the scene. The sergeant attempted to communicate with Pitts using his patrol car's loudspeaker, but his efforts were cut short by the sound of a single gunshot.
Upon entering the home, the sergeant discovered a grim scene. James Travis Pitts was found deceased in the living room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A further search of the residence revealed the devastating extent of the tragedy. Riley Pitts was found in her bedroom with a gunshot wound. Her sister, MaKayla, was found in another bedroom, also shot. Their mother, Barbara Pitts, was discovered in the master bedroom. Both Barbara and MaKayla were alive when first responders reached them and were rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Tragically, MaKayla succumbed to her injuries upon arrival, and Barbara died during surgery.
Investigators at the scene recovered a Glock pistol and a suicide note, further confirming the incident as a triple murder-suicide. The Nashville Rescue Mission, where James Travis Pitts was employed as a maintenance director, released a statement expressing their shock and sadness over the immense loss. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Metro Nashville Public Schools provided grief counseling to the students and staff at Joelton Elementary School to help them cope with the loss of their young classmate, Riley. The community was left to mourn the senseless loss of three lives and grapple with the devastating impact of the event.
