NEW: Sullivan County convict likely be charged in two homicide cases
A suspect in a Blountville homicide was captured Thursday afternoon but Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy said in a news conference he would likely be charged in a second murder.
Donald Britt was apprehended after he crashed an SUV on West Market Street. Cassidy said he is currently being hospitalized for injuries.
The sheriff said the SUV Britt was driving was taken from a homeowner who was found dead Thursday morning on property located on Stevenson Hill Road–just 1 mile from Wednesday night’s crime scene on Deck Road where the body of 36-year-old Katie Arnold was found.
Cassidy said both victims were shot. The identity of the male victim has not been released. The sheriff says more information on the cases will be released later.
Britt was currently on probation and had a lengthy criminal record, according to Sheriff Cassidy who called the suspect a “huge menace” and a “threat to society” that needed to be kept behind bars.
Here is the official release issued by the Sheriff’s Office:
“As previously released, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office was called to a shooting on Deck Lane
in Blountville, last night. An investigation immediately began and Donald Harry Britt was named
as a suspect. The victim is 36-year-old Katie Arnold of Deck Lane.
“A search for Britt immediately began last night for his apprehension. The red Dodge Challenger
that Brit was believed to be driving was recovered earlier this morning. Sullivan County
detectives immediately obtained an arrest warrant for Donald Britt and charged him with First
Degree Murder. He also had a warrant for Violation of Probation.
“Today, around 10:30 am, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office received a call to check the welfare
of an individual on Stevenson Hill Road in Blountville that did not show up for work. Deputies
responded to the residence and located the resident inside, deceased. At this time, we are not
releasing the second victim’s name pending notification of the next of kin. The vehicle belonging
to the deceased individual at the Stevenson Hill address became the next vehicle of interest.
“The vehicle, a 2007 Nissan Xterra, beige in color, was missing from the residence. Investigators are
still processing that scene and gathering evidence.
“Later in the morning, the Nissan Xterra was spotted in Jonesborough and a pursuit ensued. The
pursuit ended a short time later when Britt crashed. He was taken into custody.
“Sheriff Cassidy stated “I would like to thank our detectives for quickly identifying the suspect and
for the assistance that the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Jonesborough Police Department, Johnson
City Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation provided.” These agencies apprehended the suspect after a pursuit.”
(MUGSHOT: SCSO TN)
