KNOXVILLE, TN – A woman is facing a first-degree murder charge in Knox County after allegedly shooting her boyfriend following a discovery of infidelity. The incident occurred Saturday evening when Dsani Badgett, 20, reportedly confronted her boyfriend, Stephen Morgan, about his alleged cheating.
Deputies from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office were called to a residence around 5:40 p.m. Upon arrival, they encountered Badgett in distress, screaming for help in the driveway, according to reports. Inside the home, officers found Morgan with a fatal gunshot wound to his chest. Paramedics confirmed that Morgan had died at the scene.
Authorities say the situation unfolded after Morgan had used Badgett’s phone due to an issue with his own device. Upon accessing his Yahoo account, Badgett allegedly discovered communications suggesting Morgan’s infidelity. This discovery reportedly ignited the tragic chain of events that followed.
Badgett told investigators that after learning about the messages, she retrieved a firearm from a nightstand in their bedroom and then waited on the couch for approximately an hour until Morgan returned from work. Upon his arrival, she confronted him with the weapon. According to the incident report, she purportedly demonstrated the gun was loaded by racking it multiple times, while demanding Morgan address issues concerning their relationship.
The confrontation escalated, detectives reported. Morgan allegedly attempted to take the gun from Badgett, during which the firearm discharged, striking him in the hand and upper chest. This account adds layers of complexity to the fatal encounter, as Badgett claims the discharge was accidental during the struggle.
Following her arrest, Badgett was taken to the Roger D. Wilson Detention Center. She is currently being held on a $300,000 bond as the investigation continues.
Authorities in Knoxville are working to piece together the details leading up to the tragic event, examining the relationship history between Badgett and Morgan. Community members are left grappling with the shock of the incident, highlighting the dire consequences that can arise when domestic disputes turn violent.
Badgett remains in custody as she awaits further legal proceedings. The case underscores the heightened tensions around relationship betrayal and the potential for impulsive actions leading to irreversible outcomes.