Bradley County man arrested on attempted first degree murder
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Bradley County man has been arrested and charged for Attempted First Degree Murder in Hamilton
Richard Lee Thomas
County.
Deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) were dispatched to a home on Flagpoint Drive on March 8, 2025.
Upon arrival, deputies located the resident and his girlfriend.
While speaking to them, the resident told deputies that while sitting on their couch, their doorbell rang.
When the resident answer the door, he found his father, Richard Lee Thomas, who appeared to be intoxicated.
Shortly after, the two were involved in a verbal argument.
Richard was told to leave the residence, at which point he pulled a firearm on his son.
According to HCSO, the son attempted to enter the home and shut the front door when his father continued pointing the firearm at him inside the residence.
Fearing for his and his girlfriend’s safety, the son struck Richard, in self-defense and to create distance so he could shut the door.
When the son was trying to shut the door, Richard fired his firearm inside the open threshold of the residence.
Thankfully, the son nor the girlfriend were struck.
The son managed to close the door, and Richard left the property.
Richard was later arrested by the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, and later transferred to HCSO.
He was booked on the following charges:
- Attempted First Degree Murder
- Aggravated Domestic Assault
- Aggravated Assault
- Reckless Endangerment
- Aggravated Burglary
- Offense of Possessing Firearm or Antique Firearm during Commission or Attempt to Commit Dangerous Felony
