EAST RIDGE, TN – A gruesome scene unfolded in East Ridge, Tennessee, as police arrested a man suspected of killing his father. Officers found Caleb Riddick standing outside a residence on Greens Lake Road, his clothes drenched in blood. Inside, they discovered the lifeless body of 52-year-old Jason Riddick. Caleb, 26, has been charged with criminal homicide.
Neighbors recounted the chilling moments leading up to the arrest. One resident, whose husband called 911, described Caleb’s frantic plea for help, claiming his father and another individual were trying to kill him. The police report later confirmed the elder Riddick’s death was particularly brutal, with indications of decapitation.
The incident has left the tight-knit community in shock. Melissa, a neighbor, shared that her husband was doing yard work when Caleb approached him, bloodied and pleading. “We were just trying to process what was happening,” she said. “It was surreal.”
When officers arrived, they noticed a broken window with bloodstains, leading them into the home where they found evidence of a violent struggle. Jason Riddick’s body was eventually discovered in the living room, adding a grim layer to the unfolding tragedy.
April Jimenez, who lives next door, expressed her terror as police moved in to apprehend Caleb. “I was scared for my kids,” she said, describing how she feared stray bullets might hit her home. “You never expect something like this to happen so close to your family.”
The East Ridge Police Department has reassured the public that this appears to be an isolated incident, emphasizing there is no ongoing threat to the community. However, the neighborhood remains on edge as they grapple with the violent event that shattered their peace.
As the investigation continues, authorities are piecing together the sequence of events that led to this shocking crime. The motive remains unclear, leaving many questions unanswered as the community mourns the loss of a life.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of violence and its devastating impact on families and communities.