Tennessee family of 4 dead after father admits he snapped

Goodlettsville, Tenn. – Homicide detectives are investigating Friday morning’s tragic triple murder-suicide at a home on Greer Road in Goodlettsville in which a 32-year-old man fatally wounded his wife and two young daughters before shooting himself.

During a 911 phone call at 6:21 a.m., James Travis Pitts told dispatchers he had shot Barbara Pitts, 32, MaKayla Kleinert, 13, and Riley Pitts, 6, and planned to shoot himself upon police arrival. He explained that he was experiencing mental health issues and “snapped.”

An East Precinct Sergeant, on his way home from work, was the first officer on scene and tried to communicate with James Travis Pitts through his patrol car loudspeaker. After hearing a single gunshot at 6:38 a.m., the sergeant entered the home and found James Travis Pitts deceased in the living room. Barbara Pitts was discovered in the master bedroom and the girls in their respective bedrooms.

Barbara Pitts and MaKayla Kleinert were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where they died.

A suicide note and Glock pistol were found inside of the home.

MNPD