{Editor’s Note: We updated this article on January 29 based on newly available public information.}
FRANKLIN COUNTY — More details are coming to light in a domestic case that turned fatal in Belvidere … touching the lives of two MCHS students who remain hospitalized.
According to Franklin County Public Information Officer Chris Guess, local officials have charged Christopher Maxwell, age 48, with first degree murder and homicide in the shooting death of his wife, Holly Raquel Maxwell, age 46 at their Vernon Ridge Road home in Belvidere on Saturday. He’s also charges with criminal attempt, aggravated child abuse, and neglect, for shooting his two teenage sons, according to a press release.
According to authorities, they received a domestic disturbance call at the residence on Saturday around 4:30 p.m. While en route to the scene, dispatch informed deputies that they’d received a report that shots had been fired at the home. When deputies arrived, they discovered Holly Maxwell deceased and laying on the floor in the residence. Deputies also discovered the Maxwell’s two teenage sons, ages 13 and 14, “adjacent to the residence” and suffering from gunshot wounds.
As authorities attempted to secure the scene, they discovered Christopher Maxwell in an adjacent milk barn. Deputies arrested Maxwell and transported him to Southern Tennessee Regional Health Systems in Winchester for treatment for chest pains. Doctors later released him into local authority’s custody and he was immediately transported to the Franklin County Jail.
At the scene, both teenagers were initially also transported to Southern Tennessee Regional Health Systems, and then again transported to state level one trauma centers via air ambulance. Authorities transported the 14 year old to Erlanger Hospital via Life Force helicopter and the 13 year old to Vanderbilt Hospital via LifeFlight helicopter. According to Franklin County officials, both remain hospitalized in stable condition.
Chris Maxwell remains in custody in Franklin County where he is being held without bond. He’s scheduled to appear in Franklin County General Sessions Court on March 5. According to an arrest affidavit related to the case, Maxwell told deputies that he shot his wife in the head because he believed she was cheating on him.
Members of the Moore County community are working to help the two juvenile victims. Click here for more information on those efforts.•
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