Levi Carter, 37, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his father, Anthony Carter, 51, following an argument that escalated into violence at their family home in Kingsport, Tennessee, authorities said.
Background
The fatal stabbing occurred the night of June 8 at the Carter residence on Hickory Street in Kingsport, a city roughly 30 miles northeast of Johnson City. According to an affidavit obtained by WCYB, Levi Carter came to the home that night and attacked his father before fleeing the scene in a red Ford F-150.
The victim's wife told investigators she heard the confrontation unfold, court documents state. After being stabbed, Anthony Carter walked into the living room and told his wife, "Levi stabbed me," authorities alleged.
"Initially, he said that they were arguing about father and son stuff," Kingsport Police Detective William Clare testified during a preliminary hearing. "Eventually, he told me that his father wouldn't stop. Specifically, that they squabbled about father-son stuff. They were both sitting in chairs, and he was having some difficulties with his father. And his father said something that set him off, and he eventually stood up and stabbed him."
The Investigation
Detectives determined there were "essentially three crime scenes" due to a trail of blood leading from the basement to the inside of the house, Clare told the court. After learning of the stabbing, the Kingsport Police Department issued a press release on June 9 asking for public assistance in locating Levi Carter on a murder warrant, describing him as "armed and dangerous."
Law enforcement pursued the suspect across state lines and back again, authorities said. The pursuit ended with a crashed police cruiser in Hawkins County.
Carter was arrested on June 10 in Church Hill, a small town approximately 10 miles due east of Kingsport, according to police. He was interrogated for 32 minutes, Clare testified. Officers did not believe Carter appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of his arrest.
"Sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do," Levi Carter allegedly told investigators when explaining why he stabbed his father, according to testimony. When informed of his father's death, Carter reportedly replied: "Oh, boy."
Key Takeaways
- Levi Carter, 37, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder in the killing of his father Anthony Carter, 51
- The stabbing occurred June 8 at the family's Hickory Street residence in Kingsport, Tennessee
- Police identified three separate crime scenes connected by a blood trail from the basement to the home's interior
- Authorities pursued Carter across state lines before his arrest on June 10 in Church Hill, Tennessee
- A judge denied defense requests to reduce bond below $500,000 during Carter's first court appearance
What's Next
Levi Carter remains detained at the Sullivan County Jail on $500,000 bond. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 14, when preliminary hearing proceedings are expected to continue.