Report: Son's Shots End Mom's Beating, Kills Dad at Plant City Area Home

A night around the bonfire ended in tragedy Nov. 24 when 17-year-old Channing Thorpe, in an alleged attempt to save his mother from strangulation, shot and killed his father inside the master bedroom of the family's home in the Antioch area of Plant City, according to a Nov. 25 report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Killed in the shooting was Christopher Thorpe, 36, who lived in the home at 7427 Burnt Barn Ave., with his wife, Jill, his son, Channing, and his mother-in-law, according to the report.

Channing Thorpe called 9-1-1 to report the shooting, which occured around 10:15 p.m., according to the incident report. That's when Channing Thorpe allegedly found his father strangling his mother after a verbal altercation, which reportedly started in the living room, turned into a physical beating.

Christopher Thorpe "was strangling [his wife] when their son, Channing Thorpe, came into the bedroom to protect his mother, armed with a handgun," according to the sheriff's report. "Channing fired several shots, striking his father. One of the bullets struck Jill Thorpe in the right thigh area."

Thorpe's father reportedly died at the scene; his mother was transported to Lakeland Regional Hospital.

"There are no charges at this time," noted the report. Channing Thorpe was released into his mother's custody.

According to the report, "numerous firearms" were inside the residence, as family members were ardent hunters.

Also at the bonfire were Jill Thorpe's mother and Channing Thorpe's girlfriend and friend.

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For more, see Plant City Teen Accused of Killing Dad To Protect His Mother, at TBO.com

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