BLOUNTVILLE — A Kingsport man is facing several charges, including attempted murder, after allegedly firing shots at a relative of his girlfriend in Blountville on Sunday afternoon, endangering the lives of at least four people.
The shooting occurred at 1123 Harr Town Road. The alleged victim reportedly returned fire, but police said no one was hit.
At approximately 2:15 p.m., the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fired at a home on Harr Town Road in Blountville.
The suspect, Antonio Johnson, 36, 906 Cooks Valley Road, Apt. 1, Kingsport, had reportedly fled the scene in a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, and a BOLO (be on the lookout) was issued.
About 20 minutes later, SCSO Deputy Travis Jackson spotted Johnson’s vehicle on South John B. Dennis Highway in Kingsport, and Johnson was arrested a short time later.
A gun believed to be used in the shooting was recovered from the vehicle.
Leslie Earhart, SCSO public information officer, said the shooting allegedly occurred during an argument between Johnson and a relative of his girlfriend.
“Witnesses state that Johnson came to 1123 Harr Town Road and began arguing with the victim,” Earhart wrote in her report. “As Johnson was leaving the home he fired at least two shots from his vehicle in the direction of the victim. The victim then returned fire.”
Earhart added, “There were three other people outside the home at the time the incident occurred. No one was injured.”
Aside from attempted murder, Johnson was also charged with three counts of aggravated assault.
The handgun recovered from the Johnson’s vehicle was allegedly identified as being stolen out of Johnson City.
The investigation is ongoing.