ELIZABETHTON – Five individuals were arrested over the weekend on multiple charges by deputies of the Carter County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the investigation into an attempted murder that occurred in August 2023.
Earlier this month the Carter County Grand Jury returned indictments charging the following five individuals in connection with the case:
• Jerry A. Carden Jr., 33, of Elizabethton – conspiracy to commit second-degree murder; attempted second-degree murder; aggravated assault (weapon); tampering with evidence; and filing a false report
• Meesha Brieanne Williams, 32, of Elizabethton – conspiracy to commit second-degree murder; attempted second-degree murder; aggravated assault (weapon); tampering with evidence; and filing a false report
• Kelvin Lynn Bradley Jr., 24, of Elizabethton – conspiracy to commit second-degree murder; attempted second-degree murder; and aggravated assault (weapon)
• Daniel A. Shearl, 19, of Elizabethton – conspiracy to commit second-degree murder; attempted second-degree murder; and aggravated assault (weapon)
• Jeffery Scott Brooks Jr., 21, of Johnson City – conspiracy to commit second-degree murder; attempted second-degree murder; and aggravated assault (weapon)
The charges against Carden, Williams, Bradley, Shearl, and Brooks stem from an investigation into an incident on August 19, 2023, when deputies responded to the Stoney Creek community on a report of an assault. Deputies encountered a 29-year-old male victim who was being treated by Carter County Emergency and Rescue Squad for an apparent head injury. Deputies stated the male victim was unable to speak with them at that time due to the severity of his injuries and he was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Deputies spoke to members of the victim’s family who stated they had received a call from the victim who sounded like he was in distress, and he asked them to come help him at the boat ram on Wilbur Dam Road. The family members located the victim and drove him to the Carter County EMS station to receive care. The victim’s mother told deputies the victim stated he had been attacked by several subjects and stated they used a baseball bat, brass knuckles, and a cast iron skillet to assault him. The family members provided deputies with the names of the individuals the victim identified as the people who attacked him.
Deputies responded to the boat ramp, located the victim’s vehicle, and discovered a puddle of blood and a broken cast iron skillet next to the vehicle.
After processing the scene, deputies responded to the Johnson City Medical Center where they were informed by medical staff that the victim had suffered a skull fracture.
The investigation into the assault continued and on May 8, 2024, the Carter County Criminal Court issued indictments against Carden, Williams, Bradley, Shearl, and Brooks in connection with the assault on the victim.
Deputies arrested Carden and Williams on Saturday, May 11. Deputies arrested Bradley, Shearl, and Brooks on May 12. Carden, Williams, Bradley, and Brooks were all released from custody after posting a $25,000 bond each. Shearl remains at the Carter County Detention Center under a $25,000 bond.