4-year-old escapes after her brother, grandparents killed in apparent murder-suicide, police say

SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. – Throngs of neighbors in this small, close-knit community gathered Monday after the death of Ty Dodson, 6, killed last weekend in what Metro Nashville police called an apparent murder-suicide.

The boy, his grandmother and her husband were found dead at the couple's Nashville home Saturday night.

Metro police spokesman Don Aaron said a .357-caliber revolver was recovered at the scene. Police suspect Terry Majors, 64, fatally shot his wife, Leigh Shea-Majors, 61, at the home on Dockside Drive. Police said Majors shot and killed his 6-year-old grandson before killing himself.

Majors' 4-year-old granddaughter, the boy's sister, was uninjured and ran to a neighbor's home for help.

As of Monday, a motive in the killings remained under investigation, Aaron said.

Majors had no significant criminal history in Davidson County.

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"He's always been as good as he could be," Ty's aunt Shannon Smalling, 48, said of Majors. "We never dreamed this could happen. It's just pure evil."

Taylor Cornelius, 25, a mother of two young children, broke into tears as she stood on her front porch next door to the house where Ty grew up.

"I remember seeing him on his stepdad's shoulder in the yard. I remember his whole family dressing up as scarecrows for Halloween," she said. "Now, he's gone."

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'A sweet, loving boy'

Monday, family members reported Ty's younger sister was safe.

In addition to his younger sister, Ty is survived by his mother, Jennifer Carter, her partner, Danny Smalling, and three older sisters.

His funeral is set for 2 p.m. Thursday at Goad Funeral Home.

There will be no funeral services for Leigh Shea-Majors, according to her obituary.

About a month ago, Ty started kindergarten at Allen County Primary School, according to Schools Superintendent Travis Hamby. Counselors and psychologists were available to students and faculty in schools across the district Monday, he said.

"Our heartfelt sympathy, thoughts and prayers go out to the Carter/Smalling family. We thank them for allowing us to share in Ty's life," Hamby told the Nashville Tennessean. "Fortunately, our school family is pulling together and supporting one another at this time."

When reached by phone Monday, Teddy Dodson, the boy's grandfather, broke down.

"We are heartbroken," he said. "He was a sweet, loving boy."

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'I’m broken for them'

Peggy Pugh, who attends Scottsville Baptist Church, said her congregation learned about the tragedy shortly after it happened. During Sunday morning's service, they prayed for Ty and his family.

"It’s a small town," said Pugh, whose daughter lives in a home on Maranda Lane where Ty and his family used to live. "It’s a shame. They just had prayers, and people were crying."

Cornelius, who lives next door to Pugh's daughter, said she couldn't sleep Sunday night because of the news.

"Danny and Jennifer are very favored people here," she said. "I was up and down all night thinking I can’t imagine what she (Jennifer) is going through. She is so sweet."

Chase Dodson, 24, the boy's uncle, said his nephew visited his grandmother and her husband in Nashville frequently.

"My family has dealt with tragedy since I was 7," he said. "My oldest brother died in 2002, my other brother, Chad Dodson (Ty's biological father), passed away just 15 days before Ty was born. I was in the medical room holding Jennifer's hand when she had Ty. I cut his umbilical cord.

"He never met his dad, but his stepdad, Danny, was a good father to him. Ty was loved by so many."

Dodson created a fundraiser in Ty's name online to help the family with funeral expenses, as well as other families in similar situations who don't have access to funds to pay for funerals.

"I’m broken for them," Cornelius said. "I can only wish the poor family peace."

Follow Natalie Neysa Alund on Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Police: Couple, 6-year-old grandchild dead in apparent murder-suicide