By Brian Eason
The (Clarksville, Tenn.) Leaf Chronicle
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — A military police officer has been arrested and charged in the shooting death of his girlfriend Christmas morning after a fight at their home in front of five children, according to police.
Samantha Marie Miller, 34, was taken to Gateway Medical Center by ambulance and then transferred to Vanderbilt University Hospital for treatment to a gunshot wound to the head. Miller died late Saturday afternoon, Clarksville Police spokesman Officer Jim Knoll said.
Timothy Andrew Putnam, 27, was charged with criminal attempted homicide, according to a news release sent by Knoll.
The release said Miller and Putnam had been arguing, and Putnam allegedly grabbed her by the hair with a gun in his hand.
When police arrived, Putnam told them he’d shot Miller by accident, the release said.
Miller’s 12-year-old child called 911, according to dispatch logs. He and four other children were home at the time, the logs said. The children have been released into the care of a family member, Knoll said.
Knoll said Putnam is a member of the 561st Military Police Company. He is being held without bond, and an upgraded homicide charge will be pursued through the court system, Knoll added.
It was the second major incident in the past week involving an MP at Fort Campbell.
Staff Sgt. Ian J. Kriebel is facing attempted murder and assault charges after he allegedly stabbed an MP repeatedly in the neck and upper torso, according to a Fort Campbell news release. The MP, who was not identified, shot Kriebel once and was in stable condition Friday.
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