MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — Experts have issued warnings about how quickly domestic violence situations can turn deadly after police said an argument may be to blame for the death of a 1-year-old Sunday afternoon.
According to Murfreesboro police, a dispute over loud music may have led to an altercation at the Chelsea Place Apartments. Investigators said the baby’s mother and 24-year-old Marquavious Hampton got into an altercation that ended with Hampton allegedly shooting the infant multiple times. The mother’s hand was also shot as she tried to shield her child.
“About 53% of the calls that Murfreesboro Police Department go on, on a yearly basis, are domestic violence in nature,” executive director of the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center, Ericka Downing, said. “We’re the fourth largest county in the state. Unfortunately, as the population increases, so does crime.”
Downing said domestic violence cases have even outpaced the area’s population growth. She urged those in these situations to seek help, and for neighbors to watch for red flags.
“The emotional abuse, the psychological abuse, the financial abuse — all those things escalate,” Downing said. “And something innocent can end in death.”
According to police, Hampton was located in Williamson County thanks to license plate recognition technology. After running from deputies, police said he fatally shot himself.
“It takes, on average, seven times for someone to leave a domestic violence relationship,” Downing said. “And each time someone decides to leave that circle, that cycle of violence goes around quicker and quicker and quicker.”
According to Downing, one in three women and one in four men will experience domestic violence during their lifetime. For anyone seeking help, including friends and family of victims or survivors, you can reach out to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center directly or call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 615-896-2012.
