A Roane County, Tennessee, murder case involving 27-year-old Zackary Lowe is moving forward to the grand jury following a preliminary hearing on Tuesday. Lowe is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting and stabbing death of 44-year-old Elton Richardson, whose body was discovered at an abandoned building near the 4600 block of Decatur Highway in Ten Mile. Lowe turned himself in to law enforcement on January 27 and confessed to the killing.

According to testimony from TBI Special Agent Gerald Ray, Lowe told investigators that he “snapped” after believing Richardson—whom he described as having an affair with his wife—had molested his young daughter. Family and community members gathered outside the courthouse in support of Lowe ahead of the hearing. Lowe’s stepfather, Frankie Campbell, expressed the view that while vigilante justice is wrong, someone had to act if the court system failed to protect the family.

Witness accounts revealed that on January 22, Lowe reported to police that Richardson was harassing his family, including threats to burn down his house and take his children, leading to warrants for Richardson’s arrest. The following day, Lowe’s sister noticed possible signs of abuse on his 9-month-old daughter while changing her diaper and took the infant to the hospital, where a police report was filed with the Knoxville Police Department. However, TBI Special Agent Levi Pelley testified that investigators found no medical evidence or other information confirming that the child had been molested.

The shooting occurred the day after the police report on the alleged molestation was filed. During the hearing, the judge set Lowe’s bond at $250,000, down from being held without bond, prompting relief in the courtroom. Lowe’s defense attorney stated that the family hopes to post bond so Lowe can assist in preparing the case, expressing confidence that he will ultimately be found not guilty of first-degree murder or possibly any charges once the full truth is presented. A grand jury will now determine whether to indict Lowe on the murder charge.