No bond set for murder suspect in Stone Creek Court shooting

A military police officer accused of killing a man in a May 24 shooting on Stone Creek Court appeared at a bond hearing Tuesday afternoon in Superior Court.

Judge Frank J. Jordan Jr. did not set a bond for Timothy Edward Tarr, a military officer from Fort Benning who allegedly shot his 33-year-old neighbor in the head after a dispute over a paintball gun. He faces one count each of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Attorney Jennifer Curry, who represents Tarr, said her client has been in the Muscogee County Jail without bond for 55 days as of Tuesday. Based on the nature of the charge, he can continue to be held without bond for up to 90 days but must be granted one after that time period, she said.

Another bond hearing is set for Aug. 26, the attorney confirmed.

Tuesday’s hearing fell nearly two months after Tarr, 50, pleaded not guilty to all his charges May 31 in Columbus Recorder’s Court.

Columbus Police Detective Brad Hall said Alcides Ruben Washington went to Tarr’s residence at 6736 Stone Creek on May 24 to help him construct a storage building. Officials said the two were friends, but the victim’s family said they were only neighbors.

Washington reportedly was firing paintball guns at the suspect’s shooting range when Tarr and his wife allegedly became irritated with him for discharging it too many times.

Authorities said Tarr, who had a .45-caliber pistol positioned in a holster on his right side at the time, demanded that the victim stop. When he didn’t, Tarr removed the weapon from his holster and brandished it with the intent to intimidate him, Hall said.

Tarr, who police said has 34 years of experience as a military police officer, reportedly came to a low, ready position. Washington then turned toward him “with the paintball gun in his hands in an aggressive motion” before Tarr shot him once in the head, the detective testified at the preliminary hearing.

Washington, an AT&T employee and the father of six boys, was transported to Midtown Medical Center around 7:50 p.m. He was initially listed in critical condition but died the following morning at 2:49 a.m., said Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan.

Tarr was taken into custody minutes before Washington’s death and charged with aggravated assault. Afterward, he was given additional charges of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Curry believes a reduced manslaughter charge would be more appropriate for her client because of the “nature of the incident.”

“It wasn’t premeditated or intentional as much as it was a reaction to Washington’s actions,” she said.

This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 1:20 PM with the headline "No bond set for murder suspect in Stone Creek Court shooting."