Man’s posts signaled violence before shootings
The man suspected of killing five other people and then himself in a shooting and arson at a home in Marion County on Thursday made a series of troubling posts on social media days before the alleged murder-suicide event in Sequatchie.
The suspected shooter, Gary Barnett, 48, shared a video on Facebook on June 11 about the unfairness men experience while going through a breakup. The video was made by a woman on TikTok, and he shared it.
“One really messed up thing that guys experience after a breakup is when their ex not only pretends but spreads word that he is a bad man,” said the post by TikTok user emilywking, adding, “just so that she doesn’t feel guilty over how she treated him.”
Gary Barnett and Regina Barnett were going through a divorce, as the Chattanooga Times Free Press previously reported.
Regina Barnett and her 33-year-old daughter, Brittany Perez, were found dead in the house, Sheriff Ronnie “Bo” Burnett said Friday, along with Barnett, who apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The three children who were killed have not been identified.
One additional victim suffered gunshot wounds and survived the attack, Marion County Assistant District Attorney Steve Strain said by phone Monday. Strain said the person was taken to an area hospital for treatment and is cooperating with authorities.
Gary Barnett was charged with domestic assault in December, Marion County Circuit Court records show. The court issued a no-contact order prohibiting him from seeing Regina Barnett on the same day he was charged, according to a court clerk, which Burnett on Friday said was still active at the time of the incident.
“He was not supposed to
be near her,” Strain said.
The Times Free Press is attempting to obtain the order and other information about the case, although courts and law enforcement offices were closed for the Juneteenth holiday.
According to neighbors who spoke to the Times Free Press on Friday, the Barnetts were constantly arguing so loudly they could be heard across the street.
Another June 11 post made by Gary Barnett included a meme quoting automotive muffler repair shop owner Marvin John Heemeyer.
“I was always willing to be reasonable until I had to be unreasonable,” the post said. “Sometimes reasonable men do unreasonable things.”
Heemeyer died as a result of suicide by gunshot after bulldozing the Grandy, Colorado, Town Hall building, the house of the former mayor and several other buildings in 2004, according to news reports. Heemeyer was facing fines for operating buildings on property with no sewage system. Heemeyer shot himself after his bulldozer got stuck in the basement of a hardware store he was destroying, according to reports.
Another post shared by Barnett that day was a meme with “Peanuts” characters Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty laying on the grass opposite each other with their heads resting on a tree, and Patty asking Charlie Brown what is love.
“Tell me Chuck, what is love?” Peppermint Patty asked, with Charlie Brown responding, “The feel of recoil and the smell of gun powder.”
On May 25, Barnett reposted a mental health awareness post about medications, depression and the struggles some people with mental health problems endure throughout their lifetime. The post included a list of medications people take to function, along with why they need to do so.
“They consistently overthink every situation,” the post said. “Was a comment about them; was it a joke? Was that person supposed to laugh?”
Other posts on Barnett’s social media display his love for his two dogs, Tank and Diesel; his anti-LGBTQ+ stance; his love for the Confederate flag, sharing a photo of it framed by a fingerprint and the words, “It’s in my DNA”; and photos of two daughters.
In October, Barnett shared a meme that quoted Michael Myers — the fictitious serial killer character from the “Halloween” movie franchise — that said, “If you love her, chase her and never give up.”
Barnett then shared what appeared to be a photo of himself with a hockey mask, known to be worn by Jason Vorhees, another fictitious serial killer character from the “Friday the 13th” movie franchise.
Regina Barnett, who went by Regina Patterson on Facebook, last shared a photo of the couple Jan. 27, 2019, in which they can both be seen smiling.
On June 2021, she reacted to a selfie posted by Gary Barnett on his Facebook profile, with “my handsome hubby” and a heart-eyed emoji.
Regina Barnett’s Facebook page is filled with photos of her family, including recent photos of her young grandchildren. A few of her photos include Gary Barnett, who could be seen spending time with the grandchildren in a few of the photos.
If you, or anyone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please call the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults crisis hotline at 423-755-2700.
Although located in Chattanooga, the partnership also serves Marion County and can assist with emergency shelter placement while offering legal resources for domestic abuse survivors.