WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsFourth Arrest in Bradley Co Beating

Fourth Arrest in Bradley Co Beating

Update Friday 11am Nov 6th

BRADLEY COUNTY (WRCB) -- Bradley Co authorities have arrested a fourth person in the beating of Timothy Wayne Farmer.

Daniel Thomas Dixon, 30, of Old Harrison Pike is charged with attempted first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder.

Farmer was found in a field on Eureka Road Wednesday morning with severe head injuries.

Update Thursday 6pm Nov 5th

By Amy Morrow

Eyewitness News Reporter

BRADLEY COUNTY (WRCB) -- Family members of the Bradley County man who was beaten and left for dead say God's grace saved 19 year old Timothy Farmer.

A cattle farmer found Farmer Wednesday morning on his property.  Larry Hooper told dispatchers that farmer looked like his eye had been gouged out and that he was bleeding. Thursday investigators arrested and charged these three people with the attempted first degree murder of Farmer.  Connie Nelson, her boyfriend, Robert Shelton, Sr. And his son Robert Shelton Jr.

Annette Farmer, Tim's mother says, "It just don't make any sense why they would do this to him."  His brother, Jody Farmer says, "I think they need to meet the older brother.  I'm glad the police got them before I found out who they was."

Investigators say more arrests could follow. Farmer remains in critical condition.  He's unable to communicate but his family says when they talk to him, he moves his arms and legs.

Update Thursday 11am Nov 5th

BRADLEY COUNTY (WRCB) -- Officers arrested three people for the severe beating of a Bradley County man twelve hours after he was found beaten and bleeding in a field.

Investigators identified Robert Preston Shelton Sr., 43, Robert Preston Shelton Jr., 19, and Connie Andelina Nelson, 32, as suspects.  Just after 7am Wednesday, a 9-1-1 call sent sheriff's deputies to a farm on Eureka Road where 19 year old Timothy Wayne Farmer was found with severe head injuries. Paramedics airlifted to him Erlanger Medical Center where was admitted with serious trauma to the head. 

All three suspects are charged with attempted 1^st degree murder and conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder. They remain in custody at the Bradley County jail. The three live at an apartment on Georgetown Road in Cleveland.  

     Sheriff Tim Gobble said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are pending. 

Update: Wednesday, 6 p.m.

A Bradley County man is fighting for his life after being beaten and left for dead.  Larry Hooper was feeding his cattle Wednesday morning when he made the discovery on his property.  Hooper called 911, and Eyewitness News obtained a copy of that desperate call.

Hooper told dispatchers, "There's an individual at the back of my property here, clinging to a fence. He's delirious and he's in pretty bad shape."  Hooper also told them the man's head was bleeding, and it looked like his right eye was poked out.

The victim is Hooper's neighbor, 19-year-old Timothy Farmer. He was unresponsive when emergency crews arrived, but was airlifted to Erlanger where he's in critical condition. 

If you talked to Timothy Farmer Tuesday, Bradley County detectives want to hear from you.  The number is 728-7336. 

UPDATE WEDNESDAY NOV 4 4PM

BRADLEY COUNTY (WRCB) -- Eyewitness News has obtained the 911 tape calling for help for Timothy Farmer. The caller says he found Farmer beaten and bloody holding on to a fence. The caller who was checking on a herd of cattle said he was in tractor 30 feet away from Farmer but he could not see him. He said Farmer was bloody on the back of his hand and his right eye. His hands were described as raw.

UPDATE WEDNESDAY NOV 4 3PM

BRADLEY COUNTY (WRCB) -- Bradley County authorities have identified the beating victim as 19 year old Timothy Wayne Farmer.

A resident of the 7500 block of Eureka Road found Farmer bleeding and injured near his home shortly after 7 o'clock Wednesday morning. Paramedics transported Farmer by Lifeforce to Erlanger Medical Center where he is undergoing treatment. 

Detectives are asking for anyone who had contact with Farmer by phone or in person on Tuesday to contact them at 423-728-7336. They trying recreate where he went and who he talked to leading up to Wednesday morning.  

Once again the number to reach the Criminal Investigations Division is 423-728-7336.

WEDNESDAY NOV 4 10AM

BRADLEY COUNTY (WRCB) --

Bradley County authorities investigate the severe beating of man who was found in a field.

The discovery was made Wednesday morning on Eureka Road. Sheriff Tim Gobble says a cattleman was doing chores and discovered the severely injured man on the property. Paramedics airlifted the man to Erlanger Medical Center. His name has not been released but investigators say he lived in a mobile home near the field.

Watch for the latest details on Eyewitness News and WRCBtv.com.