Police: Roane candidate dies after shooting self at incumbent’s home

A candidate for Roane County property assessor died today after shooting himself in the head, authorities said.

James Thomas Woods Jr., 56, was a former employee of the Roane County Property Assessor’s Office, and he reportedly shot himself at the home of the incumbent assessor, Teresa Kirkham, on Brentwood Way in Kingston.

The shooting happened just after 8:30 a.m. today, according to a press release from the Kingston Police Department. Woods was taken to the Roane Medical Center in Harriman, where he died.

Woods had recently picked up a petition to run for property assessor in December 2012, the press release said.

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  • Mare Martell

    This article is informative and sensitive. Thank you for that.

    • http://johnhuotari.com John Huotari

      It’s a tough story to write. You definitely want to try to be sensitive.