KPD e-News Release: Suspect in Custody for Attempted Murder and Other Felonies after Domestic Incident at Kingsport Residence

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

Just prior to arrival, officers encountered and stopped Mr. Hunley, fleeing the scene in a vehicle, on Tenneva Street near the intersection with West Carters Valley Road. Officers noticed a strong odor of alcohol about his person and on his breath, and his speech was slow and slurred. Mr. Hunley also performed poorly on a series of field sobriety tests. He was placed under arrest for Driving Under the Influence. A black and silver semi-automatic 9mm handgun was located in the floorboard of his vehicle.

A subsequent investigation at the Tenneva Street residence revealed the following:

Michael Hunley had arrived at the residence to speak with his estranged ex-girlfriend. While waiting on the porch to speak with her, Mr. Hunley got into an argument with another white male at the residence. Mr. Hunley pulled the aforementioned loaded black and silver semi-automatic 9mm handgun out of his pocket and pointed it at the other white male as well as three other individuals who were standing on the porch. Right behind the individuals on the porch were five additional individuals, one of whom was Mr. Hunley’s ex-girlfriend, inside the residence directly in the line of fire of the handgun.

Fearing for his safety, the other white male with whom Mr. Hunley was arguing, dived for cover behind a nearby trash can. Mr. Hunley walked around the trash can, cycled the action of the weapon, placed the gun to the white male’s head, and pulled the trigger. The gun failed to fire.

A female resident shouted that she had called the police, and Mr. Hunley began to leave. As he was walking through the yard, he turned and pointed the gun at the white male’s head a second time. Mr. Hunley then attempted to flee in his Dodge Neon, but he was promptly detained by responding officers.

While three of the nine total victims of this incident were adults, the other six victims were minors, ages 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, and 12 years old.

In addition to Driving Under the Influence, Mr. Hunley was charged with the following:

1) Attempted Second Degree Murder

2) Aggravated Assault (3 counts)

3) Felony Reckless Endangerment (5 counts)

4) Possession of a Handgun While Under the Influence

5) Unlawful Carrying or Possession of a Weapon

He was transported to the Kingsport City Jail for processing and temporary confinement. He was arraigned the following morning with his bond being set at $150,000 by the presiding judge. He has since been transferred to the Sullivan County Jail in Blountville for incarceration until his next court appearance on April 16, 2015 at 1:00 PM in General Sessions Court, Division III.

26 Years of Age

Kingsport, TN

2) Aggravated Assault (3 counts)

3) Felony Reckless Endangerment (5 counts)

4) Possession of a Handgun While Under the Influence

5) Unlawful Carrying or Possession of a Weapon

6) Driving Under the Influence

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit