In the quiet afternoon of January 17, 2015, a violent tragedy shattered a Columbia, Tennessee neighborhood, claiming the life of Sharron Cantrell, a 67-year-old female. The respected principal of Spring Hill Elementary School was found deceased just off the roadway near the intersection of West 11th and Galloway Street. The events that led to her death stemmed from a family dispute that had apparently been ongoing and escalated with fatal consequences.
According to the preliminary investigation conducted by the Columbia Police Department, the incident began when Sharron's brother, 63-year-old Tom Caulk, opened fire, fatally wounding his sister. The violence did not end there, as Caulk then turned his weapon on Sharron's husband, 67-year-old Terry Cantrell. In a desperate act of defense, Terry Cantrell was able to get to a handgun in his vehicle and returned fire. He shot and killed his brother-in-law, Tom Caulk, at the scene.
In the aftermath of the shooting, detectives from the Columbia Police Department continued to investigate the tragic events. Based on witness statements and evidence recovered from the scene, it was determined that Mr. Cantrell had acted to protect himself after his wife was killed. As a result, authorities announced that no charges would be filed against him. The community was left to mourn the loss of Sharron Cantrell, a woman described as a dedicated and beloved educator who had served the children of Maury County for decades. Her death was an unspeakable loss for the school district, her faculty, staff, and the many students whose lives she had touched.
