Gunman killed wife and kids before torching home in horrific murder-suicide

17 June 2023 , 18:34

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Investigators believe Gary Barnett (L) murdered his ex wife Regina Barnett (R) along with her daughter and granchildren

A man killed his estranged wife in a murderous rampage along with her daughter and three kids before setting the house on fire and turning the gun on himself.

This came months after the murdered wife, Regina Barnett, tried to file a restraining order against her husband warning he was heavily armed and she was terrified he would “get drunk and shoot me.”

Emergency services were called to the home in Marion County, Tennessee, on Thursday night to reports of a possible shooting but found the property engulfed in flames when they arrived.

Suspected killer Gary Barnett, 48, owned the home where the six bodies, including his, were found on Thursday night.

Regina Barnett feared her husband would kill her with his large gun collection (Regina Patterson/Facebook)

Gary Barnett, 48, was identified as the shooter (Gary Barnett/Facebook)

Another adult was found in the burning house suffering from three gunshots and was rushed to hospital.

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A judge had previously approved a "no contact order" against the killer which was still active at the time of the murders.

Regina wrote in court documents: "My soon to be (ex) husband threatened to shoot me and he verbally abuses me every day.

Regina Barnett had filed a restraining order against her husband (Regina Patterson/Facebook)

"He also threatened to shoot my dog. He also has anywhere from 50 to 60 guns in his room.

"I am afraid he will get drunk and shoot me."

Marion County Sheriff Bo Burnett confirmed six had died at the scene, with bodies taken to Nashville for an autopsy.

The scene has been turned over to the TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation).

Regina (L) told a court she feared Gary (R) would shoot her (Regina Patterson/Facebook)

Mr Burnett said the crime scene was one of the most horrific things he had witnessed in his 43 years in law enforcement.

“This is one of the worst things I’ve seen," he said.

"You hear about these things but this is one of the worst I’ve been involved in all my career as a law enforcement officer,” he said.

Police have identified Gary as the killer (WTVC)

At least two of the victims died from smoke inhalation, but it is not clear how many people were shot.

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“It’s a domestic situation, evidently that has been ongoing for a pretty good while,” Mr Burnett said.

Police, responding to reports of a shooting, arrived to find the residence on fire.

Fire crews from surrounding areas responded and were able to put the flames out.

Neighbour Sylvia Cooper told NewsChannel 9 : "I heard gunshots and breaking glass... I heard five shots."

Charlie Jones