A Cumberland County man is scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on July 21, 2026, to face a first-degree murder charge stemming from a deadly shooting last summer.

According to court documents and an affidavit filed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Devin Christopher Schillinger was charged in connection with the July 6, 2025, death of Michael Kerley.

Investigators report that the incident occurred near a local residence where Schillinger allegedly shot Kerley in the head as Kerley was walking across a driveway.

• Unprovoked Attack: TBI Special Agent Levi Pelley stated in the affidavit that the victim was unarmed and was not actively threatening or assaulting anyone at the time of the incident.

• Motive: According to statements provided by Schillinger to investigators, the two men had argued the previous evening. However, there had been no interaction between them on the day of the shooting prior to the fatal event.

• Defendant’s Statement: Schillinger reportedly admitted to shooting Kerley solely due to the argument from the night before, noting that Kerley was not even speaking to anyone when he was shot.

Schillinger faces a First-Degree Murder charge, a Class A felony in Tennessee.

• Representation: Public Defender’s Office

• Bond: Set at $1,000,000

• Upcoming Hearing: A deadline hearing for the case is set for July 21, 2026, in the Cumberland County General Sessions Court.