The father of a A 33-year-old man was forced to shoot his son in self-defense after a family argument broke out and the younger man began physically attacking his parents.
Officers in Lenoir City, Tennessee, responded to the family’s home around 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10 after a neighbor reported a fight, Chief Don White told WVLT 8 News. Upon arrival, they found Isaiah Gonzalez dead inside the home.
Initial investigations revealed Gonzalez had returned home and engaged in a heated argument with his parents, reportedly over his use of drugs. The confrontation escalated and then Gonzalez attacked both his mother and father. In an act of self-defense, the father retrieved a gun and shot Gonzalez, Chief White stated.
Both parents sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the altercation and were transported to a local hospital. Gonzalez’s mother was later transferred to the University of Tennessee Medical Center due to the severity of her injuries, according to WBIR.
District Attorney General Russell Johnson highlighted the challenges officers faced due to a language barrier with the parents, who primarily speak Spanish. However, the involvement of a newly hired investigator fluent in Spanish helped expedite the investigation. “
Tuesday’s incident marked the second time in recent weeks that Gonzalez was involved in a violent confrontation. On Nov. 24, Gonzalez was shot by Salvatore Mora Gutierrez in an unrelated incident tied to drugs, police said. Gutierrez was later apprehended and faces charges including attempted first-degree murder, according to WBIR.
Authorities confirmed that no charges have been filed against Gonzalez’s father as the investigation continues.
