On the evening of June 15, 2023, Gary Don Barnett, 48, carried out a murder-suicide at a home on Pine Street in Sequatchie, Marion County, Tennessee. Barnett shot and killed his estranged wife Regina Ann Barnett, 52, her daughter Brittnee N. Perez, 33, and then set the home on fire before killing himself. Three children — Vanessa Nicole Perez, 11, Lilyana Perez, 6, and Nicholas Perez, 2 — also died in the incident, though authorities were uncertain whether they died from gunshot wounds or the fire. One adult, Aaron Pursley (Brittnee's fiancé), survived after being shot three times and escaping the burning home. Barnett had a history of domestic violence against Regina, who had obtained an order of protection after he assaulted her in February 2023 and had warned the court he could 'get drunk and shoot me.' The family had recently moved into the home to stay with Regina.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The Fox17 article states: "Sheriff Bo Burnette says the same night Gary Don Barnett shot and killed his estranged wife Regina Patterson, adult daughter Brittnee Perez, Aaron Pursley, and himself inside of the home. 3 children also died, but the sheriff says they are unsure at this time if it was from gunshot wounds or the fire." A firearm was used in the incident and the children may have died from gunshot wounds.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The Fox17 article states that "Gary Don Barnett shot and killed his estranged wife Regina Patterson, adult daughter Brittnee Perez, Aaron Pursley, and himself inside of the home. 3 children also died, but the sheriff says they are unsure at this time if it was from gunshot wounds or the fire." The children suffered inflicted injury — either gunshot wounds or injuries from the fire that Gary Barnett deliberately set. Both mechanisms were inflicted by Barnett.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Both documents explicitly describe the incident as a "murder-suicide." The Fox17 article headline includes "murder-suicide" and the Tennessean states: "police called a murder-suicide in Marion County on June 15." Gary Don Barnett killed multiple family members before taking his own life.
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
The Fox17 article identifies Gary Don Barnett as "Britnee's step father" who "went on a shooting spree." Since the children (Vanessa, Lilyana, and Nicholas Perez) were Brittnee Perez's children, Gary Barnett was their step-grandfather. He qualifies as another adult relative involved in their deaths. Burnette says Barnett "was the one who set home on fire after shooting his family, then taking his own life."
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The Fox17 article explicitly references domestic violence: "An officer had been there in the past on domestic situations," "In the middle of a divorce, neighbors say Barnett and Regina had frequent fights," and "she obtained an order of protection after he assaulted her in February, and she feared he could 'get drunk and shoot me.'" Gary Barnett had a documented history of domestic violence against his estranged wife Regina.
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
The Fox17 article states that Regina "obtained an order of protection after he assaulted her in February" — this assault occurred months before the June 15 fatal incident and constitutes prior criminal behavior. Additionally, the article notes "An officer had been there in the past on domestic situations," indicating repeated prior law enforcement involvement. While formal arrest or charge records are not explicitly cited, the documented assault and police history constitute prior criminal conduct.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The Fox17 article references Regina's fear that Gary could "get drunk and shoot me," which was part of the order of protection she obtained. This references alcohol use by the parent/caregiver figure (Gary Don Barnett, the children's step-grandfather who was in the household).
Notable Details
The Fox17 article describes a significant systemic failure: the victim Regina had obtained an order of protection against Gary Barnett after he assaulted her in February, and she explicitly warned the court that he could "get drunk and shoot me." Despite this documented warning and the protective order, Barnett was able to carry out the very scenario she predicted, killing her and five others. Additionally, it remains undetermined whether the three children died from gunshot wounds or the fire Barnett set, as stated: "3 children also died, but the sheriff says they are unsure at this time if it was from gunshot wounds or the fire." The investigation was ongoing with remains taken to Nashville for autopsies.
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