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Mother, teen daughter shot in Robertson County; suspect in custody

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Posted at 10:04 AM, Nov 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-28 11:43:44-05

SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Robertson County Sheriff’s Office says a suspect is in custody after a mother and her daughter were shot early Friday morning. The mother has died from her injuries.

The call came in at 1 a.m. at a residence on Boyd Holland Road in Springfield.

Authorities say the 46-year-old woman - Melanie Dempsey - and her 15-year-old daughter were both shot and taken to an area hospital.

The Robertson County Sheriff's Office said Saturday Dempsey has died from her injuries. She was initially in critical condition after she was shot in the head. Her daughter was hit in the wrist.

Sheriff’s officials say the suspect, 38-year-old Robert D. Mitchell, was still at the residence when they got there and surrendered. They say all three lived together, and the shooting happened after a “domestic altercation” between Mitchell and Dempsey.

Mitchell was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Following Dempsey's death, the Robertson County Sheriff's Office is working to upgrade Mitchell's charges. The investigation remains ongoing.

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