KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A man in Tennessee has been charged with felony second-degree murder after allegedly shooting his neighbor in a dispute over dog feces in their shared backyard. Stefen White, 34, was accused of killing his neighbor on December 23rd, prompting a police investigation.
According to the Knoxville Police Department, the altercation between White and his neighbor occurred when they argued about White’s failure to clean up after his dogs. Both individuals reside on the same property, which includes a shared yard.
While White claimed that his neighbor had punched him in the face before the shooting, witness interviews did not support his assertion. According to an affidavit, “The defendant pulled a handgun on the victim and shot him in the chest, causing the victim’s death.”
White is currently in custody, with bail set at $100,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 11th.
Authorities have yet to release the identities of the victim involved in the incident.
In the wake of this tragedy, questions arise surrounding the issues of conflict resolution and the responsible ownership of pets. Authorities will continue their investigation to shed light on the circumstances that led to this fatal outcome.