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Kingsport Police Department
200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder after Firing Shots at Kingsport Police Officer and Neighbor | ||
| DATE: | September 17, 2015 | ||
| CASE #: | 15-020291 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| On September 16, 2015 at approximately 8:00 PM, a Kingsport Police Patrol Officer responded to the 1000 block of Burns Street in Kingsport to investigate a report of an individual causing a disturbance by yelling and screaming. The officer did not initially locate the individual; however, while speaking with a neighbor, he observed the man in question, later identified as Mark A. Dorton, to exit his residence at 1023 Burns Street and begin shouting profanity.
The officer and the neighbor soon heard a gunshot and immediately saw dirt fly up several feet in front of them. They sought cover and promptly heard another shot. They observed Mr. Dorton to be holding a rifle in his left hand. The officer identified himself as a police officer and ordered Mr. Dorton to put down the rifle. He eventually complied and was taken into custody without further incident. The .22 caliber rifle was recovered with a spent casing in the chamber. A second .22 caliber rifle was located inside the residence and was found to also contain a spent casing in the chamber, as well as additional live rounds. Several other firearms were seized from the residence. Mr. Dorton apologized for his behavior and attempted to excuse his actions by stating that he had been drinking. He was charged with two counts of Attempted Second Degree Murder and transported to the Kingsport City Jail. He was arraigned the following morning, where his bond was set at $50,000 by the presiding judge. He currently remains incarcerated in the Kingsport City Jail awaiting transfer to the Sullivan County Jail in Blountville, TN. |
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| SUSPECT INFORMATION | |
| Name | Mark A. Dorton |
| Age | Date of Birth 5/19/1977
38 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Male/White |
| Residency | 1023 Burns Street
Kingsport, TN |
| Charge(s) | Attempted Second Degree Murder (2 Counts) |
| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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