Editor’s Note: Though the report from the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office includes the victim’s name, TGV replaced her full name with her initials.
A woman is fighting for her life after a domestic dispute that culminated with her fiancé shooting her and then himself. Records show that Bryan County deputies responded to the home earlier in the evening, but left the couple in the home before the incident escalated.
It happened on St. Catherines Court in Waterford Landing in Bryan County on Saturday night. TheGeorgiaVirtue.com filed a request for public records on Tuesday.
According to records provided by the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, a female, A.C., called 911 at 10:40 p.m. on August 2 over a verbal domestic dispute. While deputies were responding, a second call came into 911 stating that everything was fine and that there was no emergency. Deputies responded to the home anyway.
Ralph (Trip) Edward Kennickell III greeted deputies and indicated he had no idea why law enforcement was at the home.
From the report from Deputy Thomas Greiner:
Mr. Kennickell called for his girlfriend, Ms. A.C., who came from another room. A.C. stated that she had called 911 because she was not sure of her safety. I separated the two and spoke with A.C while Deputy Usher spoke with Mr. Kennickell outside. A.C stated that they are supposed to get married on August 9th and she doesn’t know if she can go through with it. She said that she has given back his ring three times, and each time he made threats of hurting himself. A.C stated that they were out at Shellman’sBluff tonight when Mr. Kennickell wanted to leave and she did not. A.C stated that it started an argument between them.
A.C stated that they argue often and that she saw him go out to his truck and get in the passenger seat, which is where he keeps his gun. She was fearful he might try to hurt himself, so she called 911. After realizing he was ok, she called back to tell dispatch everything was fine. A.C made statements about how to have Mr. Kennickell removed if it comes down to it, and we explained the process she would have to go through. A.C was also told that at any time she feels unsafe she cal call 9111, she does not have to say anything and officers will come. A.C was also advised she could get a protective order if she needed to and she stated she doesn’t feel she needs one.
After both parties calmed down, Mr. Kennickell returned to the house and agreed to go to his room to sleep, as did A.C. Both subjects were given the option to leave the residence but both stated that they would stay in the home and sleep in different rooms. Both parties admitted to having a few drinks but stated they were not intoxicated – nothing further to report at this time.
From the report of Deputy Joshua Usher:
Upon my arrival, I met the complainant A.C and the offender Mr. Ralph Kennickell at the front door. A.C. stated that she felt unsafe because Mr. Kennickell stated he was going to kill himself and then went to his truck to get his gun. At this point, both parties were separated and I went with Mr. Kennickell outside to talk to him about what went on before we got there.
Mr. Kennickell stated that they had just gotten back from a bar in Shellman’s Bluff in McIntosh County when A.C. began arguing with him because she wasn’t able to drink since she was the designated driver. Mr. Kennickell states A.C. wanted to sleep in separate bedrooms because of this which began another argument inside the residence. Mr. Kennickell stated he was walking to the master bedroom when deputies had knocked on the door.
I asked Mr. Kennickell if he had ever felt like hurting himself or had any thoughts of suicide. Mr. Kennickell stated he did not.
After waiting outside of the residence, Mr. Kennickell asked me if we could go inside so he could talk to her about what was going on. I asked the deputies inside if they were ready for him to come back inside and they stated that they were good. Mr. Kennickell and A.C. were given the opportunity to leave the residence and separate for the night, but they insisted on staying in different rooms.
Deputies advised both parties to call back if they needed us for anything else. Nothing further from this incident.
The incident report indicates that deputies left the home at 11:28 p.m.
According to a second incident report, however, at 12:31 a.m. on August 3, deputies responded again for a call regarding a shooting. This was an hour and three minutes after deputies left the home for the verbal dispute. Upon arrival, deputies found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. A.C was transported to Memorial Hospital in Savannah, indicating that Kennickell was dead at the scene. His obituary was posted August 7 and indicates his funeral will take place on the couple’s scheduled wedding day.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Kennickell was the Director of Business Development at East Coast Warehouse & Distribution. A.C is a Family Nurse Practitioner.
How is A.C. doing?