JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Johnson City police have released the identity of the suspect in Friday morning’s fatal shooting in downtown.
According to Capt. Kevin Peters on the scene at 110 Tipton St., the shooting happened around 1:50 a.m. Friday after an argument erupted between two people.
“About 1:50 this morning, we received a call about shots being fired inside an establishment here,” Peters said. “When initial officers responded, they found out that one subject had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene.”
A release from the department revealed that Jonathan Samuel Love Hall Murphy and an unnamed man began arguing inside the bar.
Police said Murphy shot the victim multiple times before running from the scene.
When police arrived on the scene, the release states they found the victim’s body inside.
Police arrested Murphy and charged him with second-degree murder. Murphy remains in the Washington County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond.
Sergeant David Hilton of the JCPD told News Channel 11 that in May 2021, Murphy was arrested in connection to a shooting inside a different bar in Johnson City. During that shooting, Murphy reportedly was arguing with another person and fired a gun, leading to an uninvolved person receiving minor injuries.
His arraignment is set on Monday, Oct. 18 in Washington County General Session Court.
The victim of the shooting has not been identified as of Friday. Hilton told News Channel 11 that the identity will most likely be released next week.
The police department announced Friday evening that another man, Demarquiste’ Fugh of Johnson City, was also arrested and charged with tampering with evidence in connection with the fatal shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 423-434-6166.
This is a developing story. Stay updated on-air and on WJHL.com.
