VENICE, Sevier County — An intense fight resulted in one man being shot to death and another arrested for investigation of murder in the small community of Venice on Sunday.

Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis said emergency crews were dispatched to a residence on a report of shots fired. When they arrived, they found the body of David Rioja, 36. He had been shot in the chest.

About the same time, another Venice resident, William Muir, 39, called 911 claiming he had been assaulted, the sheriff said.

"During the course of the investigation it was found the assault took place at the same address Rioja was found," Curtis said.

Muir also made statements to deputies that led them to believe he was involved in the shooting, he said. A revolver was recovered from his residence.

Muir was later arrested and booked into the Sevier County Jail for investigation of murder. In his mugshot, there are obvious injuries to his face.

"It was quite the fight from what they've seen. We actually had to send Mr. Muir to the hospital, get him checked out, X-rays, he had some injuries to the head," Curtis said.

As of Monday, sheriff's investigators did not believe the killing was a case of self-defense. They also noted that alcohol was believed to be a factor.

— Pat Reavy