Aunt of 6-year-old killed in Nashville: ‘We never dreamed this could happen. It’s just pure evil’ – The Tennessean

Correction: Funeral services for Ty Dodson are 2 p.m. Thursday. An earlier version of this story included an incorrect date.

SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. – Taylor Cornelius, a 25-year-old Kentucky mother to two young children, broke into tears as she stood on her front porch and stared across the street at her neighbor’s home.

Behind her, separated by a glass door, her 3-year-old son stared out at her with one of his tiny hands pressed flat against the glass.

Cornelius, her husband and her two young children live in a tidy home on a small cul-de-sac in Scottsville, a city of about 4,200 people just across the Tennessee-Kentucky border, in the house next door to where a young boy grew up.

“I remember seeing him on his stepdad’s shoulder in the yard. I remember his whole family dressing up as scarecrows for Halloween,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “Now, he’s gone.”

On Monday, Cornelius was among throngs in the small, close-knit community reeling after the weekend death of 6-year-old Ty Dodson, killed in what Metro Nashville police are calling an apparent murder-suicide. The boy, his grandmother and her husband were found dead at the couple’s Nashville home Saturday night, police said.

Police said Terry Majors, 64, is thought to have fatally shot his wife, Leigh Shea-Majors, 61, at a home on Dockside Drive. Police said Terry Majors shot and killed his 6-year-old grandson before killing himself.

Terry Majors’ 4-year-old granddaughter, the boy’s sister, was uninjured and ran to a neighbor’s home for help.

Metro police spokesman Don Aaron said a .357-caliber revolver was recovered at the scene.

As of Monday, a motive in the killings remained under investigation, Aaron said.

Majors has no significant criminal history in Davidson County.

“He’s always been as good as he could be,” Ty’s 48-year-old aunt, Shannon Smalling of Scottsville, said of Terry Majors. “We never dreamed this could happen. It’s just pure evil.”

‘A sweet, loving boy’

On Monday, family reported Ty’s younger sister was safe, back in Kentucky with her family.

In addition to his younger sister, Ty is survived by his mother, Jennifer Carter, her partner, Danny Smalling, and three other older female siblings. 

His funeral is set for 2 p.m. Thursday at Goad Funeral Home in Scottsville. Visitation is there from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and beginning Thursday at 7 a.m.

There will be no funeral services for Leigh Shea-Majors, according to her obituary. Visitation before cremation will be held 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Goad Funeral Home. 

“He was a very loving, very happy boy,” his aunt said. 

Just over a month ago, Ty started kindergarten at Allen County Primary School, according to Allen County Schools Superintendent Travis Hamby. Counselors and psychologists were available to students and faculty in schools across the district on Monday, he said.

“Our heartfelt sympathy, thoughts and prayers go out to the Carter/Smalling family. We thank them for allowing us to share in Ty’s life,” Hamby told The Tennessean. “Fortunately, our school family is pulling together and supporting one another at this time.”

When reached by phone Monday, Teddy Dodson, the boy’s grandfather, broke down.

“We are heartbroken,” he said. “He was a sweet, loving boy.”

‘I’m broken for them’

Peggy Pugh, who attends Scottsville Baptist Church, said her congregation learned about the tragedy shortly after it happened. During Sunday morning’s service, they prayed for Ty and his family.

“It’s a small town,” said Pugh, whose daughter lives in a home on Maranda Lane where Ty and his family used to live. “It’s a shame. They just had prayers, and people were crying.”

Cornelius, who lives next door to Pugh’s daughter, said she couldn’t sleep Sunday night because of the news.

“Danny and Jennifer are very favored people here,” she said. “I was up and down all night thinking I can’t imagine what she (Jennifer) is going through,” she said. “She is so sweet.”

Chase Dodson, the boy’s uncle, said his nephew visited his grandmother and her husband in Nashville frequently.

The killings came as a shock to the family, the 24-year-old Tompkinsville, Kentucky, resident said.

“My family has dealt with tragedy since I was 7,” he said. “My oldest brother died in 2002, my other brother, Chad Dodson (Ty’s biological father), passed away just 15 days before Ty was born. I was in the medical room holding Jennifer’s hand when she had Ty. I cut his umbilical cord.”

“He never met his dad, but his stepdad, Danny, was a good father to him. Ty was loved by so many.” 

Chase Dodson created a fundraiser in Ty’s name online to help the family with funeral expenses as well as other families in similar situations who don’t have access to funds to pay for funerals.

“I was in here sobbing last night after reading his post. That boy was his whole world,” Cornelius said, tears streaming down her face. “I’m broken for them. I can only wish the poor family peace.”

Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.

Published 3:45 PM EDT Sep 10, 2019

NashvilleAdmin

See author's posts