In the quiet community of Newport, Tennessee, the life of 12-year-old Justin Chase Golden, a male student at Centerview Elementary School, was tragically cut short on the night of Tuesday, January 17, 2017. The young boy was discovered in his home with a gunshot wound, prompting a significant investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Initial reports from that evening were filled with confusion and grief.
The Cocke County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call from Justin's mother around 10 p.m., reporting that her son had apparently shot himself. Responding officers arrived at the family's home in the Centerview community to find a devastating scene. They administered CPR until emergency medical services arrived and transported the boy to a nearby emergency room, but his life could not be saved.
The nature of the incident immediately drew the attention of higher law enforcement agencies. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was called in to lead the inquiry, working alongside the Cocke County Sheriff's Office to piece together the events of that fateful night. The involvement of the TBI signaled the seriousness of the case and the need for a thorough and impartial investigation. The Department of Children's Services was also notified, a standard procedure in cases involving the death of a minor.
At the time, Cocke County Sheriff Armando Fontes stated that investigators were diligently 'looking into the circumstances involved in the situation.' He also indicated that they were awaiting the results of a forensic evaluation to shed more light on the manner of Justin's death. The community was left in a state of shock and mourning as they awaited answers. While the initial call suggested a self-inflicted wound, the official investigation remained open as authorities worked to determine the exact cause of death. Information regarding the final outcome of the TBI's investigation, including whether the death was ultimately ruled a suicide, homicide, or accident, has not been made publicly available. Consequently, no information regarding any arrests or suspects has been released.
