In the small town of Altamont, Tennessee, a domestic dispute escalated into a tragic and fatal shooting. On September 23, 2018, 32-year-old Carolyn Nicole Powell, a Caucasian mother of four, was killed in her parents' home. At the time of her death, she was living at the residence with her children, who ranged in age from two to twelve.
The incident unfolded when Powell's estranged husband, 37-year-old John Wesley Smith, entered the home. There, he discovered his wife with another man, 38-year-old Gary Christopher Hurst of Bridgeport, Alabama. A confrontation ensued, during which Smith shot both Powell and Hurst. In a turn of events, Powell's father, Jerone Powell, who was also present, shot Smith. Jerone Powell sustained injuries during the altercation as well.
Following the shooting, Smith was arrested and faced a litany of charges, including first-degree murder, two counts of attempted criminal homicide, eleven counts of reckless endangerment, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist the Grundy County Sheriff's Office with the investigation. It was later revealed that Powell had recently filed for divorce from Smith, who was reportedly struggling with a meth addiction. This domestic turmoil is believed to have been the catalyst for the violent outburst. Ultimately, John Wesley Smith was sentenced to 82 years in prison for his crimes. The tragic event left six children, including Powell's four and two others who were present, in the home at the time of the incident.
