TAZEWELL, Tenn. — Carl Mullins is known to many in the Claiborne County community as a produce salesman who frequents the farmers’ market. Former employees of Mullins say they always thought he was a “fine fellow”.

On Monday evening, Claiborne County officials had Mullins, who resides on Straight Creek Road in Tazewell, in custody, and they suspect that he shot and killed his 27-year-old stepson, Brandon Peace.

Claiborne County Sheriff David Ray confirms that on Monday, Carl Mullins was taken into custody by officials from his department, the Tazewell City Police and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations for questioning concerning the murder of Peace.

According to a source that wishes to remain confidential, Mullins announced to his wife on Monday his intentions to file bankruptcy and then proceeded to strike his wife in the head with a coffee mug. The source stated that Mullins then asked his younger son, Stanton Peace, 23, to take his mother to the emergency room.

According to the source, when the younger Peace returned, he and his older brother, Brandon Peace, walked outside of the Straight Creek Road residence to question Mullins, who was sitting on the tailgate of a truck. When Mullins saw the two young men approaching, he pulled out a handgun and fired off four shots, according to the source. Stanton Peace escaped, but Brandon Peace died on the scene.

According to Sheriff Ray, Mullins remains in custody at the Claiborne County Detention Center. An official statement of the charges against Mullins was not immediately available.

An arrest is an accusation only and those arrested are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Brandy Calvert is the managing editor of the Middlesboro Daily News. Contact her via e-mail at editor@middlesborodailynews.com.