Cleveland murder suspect now in custody

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) — The man accused of shooting his girlfriend to death has turned him self in to police.

For most of Monday, Donald Lee Abbott, 47, was a wanted man in connection to the murder of Marla Sharp, 44.

Cleveland police told News 12 Sharp died as a result of a domestic dispute between her and Abbott.

According to investigators, Abbott, Sharp and one of Sharp’s relatives was inside her home when a gun went off.

The relative reportedly ran next door to call 911 and let authorities know the Abbott shot Sharp.

When officers arrived walked into the home, they made a grave discovery.

"They found a white female victim identified as Marla Sharp laying on the ground with a gun shot wound to her upper torso," said Cleveland Police Spokesperson Evie West.

The mother of three later died from her injures.

For most of the day, police went on a search for Abbott; labeling him armed and dangerous. But later in the afternoon, Abbott turned himself in.

He was charged with attempted first degree murder.

According to police, Monday’s shooting was the first time officers were called to Sharp’s residence.

"In 2005, we did have a domestic there. I’m not sure if that did involve Ms. Sharp but we did respond to a domestic there. I know that a victim’s notification was delivered to Ms. Sharp just recently within in the last month and a half to let her know that Mr. Abbott was being released from jail. I don’t know where that domestic took place," West said.

During the initial phase of the investigation, police learned that authorities in another jurisdiction had issue several felony warrants for his arrest.

Back in May, he was accused of leading several law enforcement agencies on a high speed chase that began in Meigs County and ended in McMinn County. The chase ended when his vehicle collided head on with another vehicle. After the crash, it took several officers to get him under control when he was transported to a local hospital.

As for Sharp, several neighbors in that quiet tight-knit community were left shocked by her death.

Bradley County Commission, Milan Blake told WDEF that Sharp had been his neighbor for more than 10 years. According to Blake, many neighbors were aware of the issues Sharp had with Abbott.

"We keep track of what’s going on in this neighborhood and we kind of knew. I talked to some of my neighbors this morning and we were all a little bit concerned about this. It’s just a very sad situation," Blake said.

Sharp was also the owner of the "The Little Diner on First Street."