Family dispute led to shooting deaths, police say

Police say an ongoing family dispute precipitated the shooting deaths of a Spring Hill elementary school principal and her brother.

Columbia police were called around 1:20 p.m. Saturday to investigate a shooting near the intersection of West 11th and Galloway streets in Columbia, according to a news release from the Columbia Police Department.

Officers found principal Sharron Cantrell, 66, of Spring Hill and her 63-year-old brother, Tom Caulk, of Columbia dead just off the road in the 400 block of West 11th Street, police said.

The investigation shows that Caulk fired a handgun, killed his sister and shot her husband, 67-year-old Terry Cantrell, police said. The principal's husband was able to retrieve a handgun from his vehicle and shoot and kill Caulk, police said. Terry Cantrell was treated on scene and released, police said.

Detectives continue to investigate the shooting, and at this time no charges have been filed against Cantrell, police said.

Sharron Cantrell was promoted to principal in 2009 from assistant principal, a position that she had held since February 2008. Cantrell was alderwoman for Ward 3 in Spring Hill. She lost a re-election bid in 2007.

Maury County Public Schools reported Cantrell's death on the district's Facebook page:

"We send love out to all who knew this special person and servant to the children of Maury County for so many years. She served our children, her faculty and co-workers with excellence."

The Spring Hill Elementary Parent Teacher Association is organizing a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Cantrell. The vigil will be at 7 p.m. Monday on the fields behind the school at 5359 Main St.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department at 931-380-2721, S.A.F.E. Tip Line at safetips@columbiatn.com or 931-380-2930 and Crime Stoppers at 931-381-4900.

Reach Holly Meyer 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.