The name of the man who shot and killed Christopher Hollis nearly three weeks ago has been released by the district attorney in charge of prosecuting the case.
Jeremiah Benjamin Davis, 28, is the man who killed Hollis, according to special prosecutor Craig Northcott. Davis had his name changed months before the shooting and was previously known as Jeremiah Dearinger, according to the prosecutor.
Davis has not been charged with any crime and Northcott, the district attorney in Coffee County, said on Wednesday a full evaluation will take time.
“It’s going to be months for sure,” said Northcott. “The TBI and the investigator with my office are doing some follow-up interviews and there are some interviews which need to be done for the first time. We’re still gathering evidence, doing testing. I have to make sure I’m making an informed decision and making a decision that I’m comfortable with.”
Charges, if leveled, could range from murder all the way down to manslaughter. Or it could be determined Davis acted in self-defense and criminal charges are not filed.
“It’s not self-defense,” said Vicki Marsh, the mother of Hollis. “You can’t holler self-defense when you shoot somebody from behind through the back passenger window. My son needs justice. There needs to be charges.”
Hollis and Davis reportedly did not know each other when the two motorists came in contact on a Sunday afternoon, Oct. 24, on Sparta Highway. Hollis was traveling inbound when Davis pulled onto the highway from Wild Bill’s BBQ.
The two men exchanged words as they were traveling down the highway with Hollis shot while he was driving.
Marsh said the reason for the argument is Davis nearly hit her son and his girlfriend when he pulled onto Sparta Highway.
“They were arguing side-by-side as they were driving because he nearly caused them to wreck,” said Marsh. “Then he backs off and fires two shots from behind.”
Peyton Glenn, who was Christopher’s girlfriend, was the passenger in his vehicle. There was a gun in their vehicle found by Christopher’s seat.
