On what should have been a festive Thanksgiving evening in Chester, Virginia, a domestic dispute escalated into a tragic triple homicide, claiming the life of 36-year-old Andrew Buthorn. The horrific events of November 23, 2017, unfolded at the home of Christopher and Jeanett Gattis, where family had gathered for the holiday. Buthorn, his girlfriend Candice Kunze, age 30, and her mother Jeanett Gattis, age 58, were all fatally shot inside the residence.
Responding to a reported alarm at the home, Chesterfield County Police discovered the three victims, all deceased from gunshot wounds. The shooter, 58-year-old Christopher R. Gattis, who was Jeanett's husband and a former youth pastor, was found at the scene and taken into custody without incident. He was subsequently charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Investigations revealed a history of domestic strife within the household. Christopher Gattis had reportedly expressed his disapproval of his stepdaughter, Candice Kunze, and her boyfriend, Andrew Buthorn, residing in his home. This ongoing tension culminated in the deadly confrontation on Thanksgiving night. As the family was engaged in a board game, Christopher Gattis entered the kitchen and opened fire on his wife, stepdaughter, and her boyfriend.
In the face of overwhelming evidence, Christopher Gattis pleaded guilty to the three counts of first-degree murder. His defense's initial claim that he felt threatened was contradicted by the fact that all three victims had been shot in the back. Ultimately, the court sentenced the former youth pastor to 58 years in prison for the brutal slayings that cut short the lives of Andrew Buthorn and the two women.
