An otherwise quiet evening in Baxter, Tennessee, was shattered by gunfire on October 15, 2025, leaving a son and his mother dead in what authorities have described as an altercation. The victims were identified as 29-year-old Ceil Martindale, a male, and his mother, 68-year-old Karen Carter. A third person was also wounded in the incident.
The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 7:40 p.m. on Vickers Ridge Road. Upon their arrival, they discovered three individuals had been shot. Ceil Martindale and Karen Carter were found deceased at the scene. The third victim was transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital for treatment of their injuries.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was called in to lead the inquiry into the double homicide. Early reports indicated that the shooting stemmed from an altercation involving the three individuals near the roadway. However, details about what precipitated the deadly confrontation have not been released by law enforcement officials.
As the investigation continues, no suspects have been publicly named, and no arrests have been announced in connection with the deaths of Ceil Martindale and Karen Carter. The case remains an active and ongoing investigation as authorities work to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic loss of two family members.
