According to authorities in Newton County, Bennett was arrested for making harassing phone calls and threatening to kill Washington in July of last year. A warrant for his arrest in November said he was texting and calling Washington repeatedly to terrorize her. Those threats became a reality on the night of Saturday, June 11 when he shot and killed Washington and shot her mother Peggy Burns in the head. Burns was airlifted to the hospital and at last check, listed in critical condition.
Deputies said those threats of violence extended to his own child, Jaquari Bennett, who he shot and killed before taking his own life on the grounds of Riverdale First UMC on Sunday morning. While a condition of Bennett’s bond required him to avoid contact with Washington, authorities in Newton County said they don’t believe Washington filed a temporary protective order, which would have put additional restrictions around contact in place. They said the investigation into the incident is ongoing and that they do believe this was a case of domestic violence.
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