In the small community of Bethpage, Tennessee, a family dispute on an autumn evening culminated in the tragic death of James Purnell "Bubba" Brinkley. A white male, Brinkley, age 48, was fatally shot on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, following a confrontation with his cousin.
The events unfolded on Rogana Road where Sumner County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call just after 8 p.m. The caller, Phillip Brinkley, reported a confrontation between his brother and his cousin.
Upon their arrival, deputies discovered James Brinkley had been shot three times.
The investigation quickly identified Kenneth Phillips, Brinkley's cousin, as the alleged shooter. According to arrest documents, a verbal argument between Phillips and Brinkley escalated into a physical altercation. Authorities report that Phillips then shot Brinkley. Investigators found three shell casings at the scene that matched Phillips's gun.
Kenneth Phillips was subsequently arrested and has been charged with homicide. The incident has left the family and the local community in mourning, grappling with a sudden loss stemming from a familial dispute.
