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Kingsport Police Department
200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Suspect in Custody in Stabbing Incident at Kingsport Motel | ||
| DATE: | July 23, 2014 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE |
| On July 22, 2014 at approximately 7:00 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to the Econo Lodge, located at 9980 Airport Parkway in Kingsport, in reference to a stabbing incident. Upon their arrival, they came in contact with both the suspect, Richard Mark Thomas, and the victim, Howard Eugene Wells.
Mr. Wells has sustained a severe, life-threatening, laceration. He was promptly transported to Holston Valley Medical Center by Sullivan County E.M.S. for emergency medical treatment. K.P.D. Detectives responded to the scene. Their subsequent investigation yielded the following: Mr. Thomas, Mr. Wells, and several other individuals had been residing at the Econo Lodge while temporarily working in the Kingsport area. Mr. Thomas and another man were engaged in an argument. Witnessing the heated exchange, Mr. Wells physically placed himself in between the two men in an attempt to mediate and de-escalate the situation. Rather than diffuse, the situation escalated, and Mr. Thomas produced a handgun. In self-defense, Mr. Wells grabbed the firearm in an attempt to disarm Mr. Thomas. Continuing his aggression, Mr. Thomas then drew a knife and stabbed Mr. Wells. Mr. Thomas was arrested for Criminal Attempt to Commit 2nd Degree Murder and transported to the Kingsport City Jail for processing. Although the incident did in fact occur within the confines of the City of Kingsport, in compliance with Sullivan County court jurisdictional boundaries, Mr. Thomas was then transported to the Sullivan County Jail pending his arraignment in General Sessions Court Division I in Bristol, TN. Mr. Wells remains hospitalized in the Holston Valley Medical Center Intensive Care Unit where he is listed in stable condition. |
| SUSPECT INFORMATION | |
| Name | Richard Mark Thomas |
| Age | Date of Birth 3/5/1967
47 Years of Age |
| Race/Gender | White/Male |
| Residency | 142 Waterside Lane
Freeport, FL |
| Charge(s) | Criminal Attempt to Commit 2nd Degree Murder |
| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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