According to LaGrange police, a suspect in the murder of Teresa Patterson, 60, who was killed by a dog attack, has turned himself in ten days after she passed away.
The two huge dogs that mauled Patterson, according to authorities, had attacked another resident only three days earlier. Derrick Parker, caretaker for the dogs, is now facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct, and allowing dogs to run at large.
Qua Tucker, Patterson’s grandson, has described the arrest as a step toward healing for his bereaved family and has chosen to react with faith and forgiveness. According to the 23-year-old pastor, hearing of the arrest made him feel peaceful rather than angry.
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“If I had the opportunity to see him face to face, and this is the truth — I’m in the Lord’s house — I would want to tell him I love him, I would want to tell him I forgive him,” Tucker told 11Alive inside of his church in Troup County.
However, Tucker believes there could have been a way to prevent the catastrophe.
“I feel like if it would’ve been taken more seriously, all of this could’ve been prevented. I really do, and that is what made me angry,” he said.
Despite the grief, Tucker stated that he is choosing to lead with grace.
“I’m grateful that he turned himself in. I commend him and I actually respect that, although it’s unfortunate that now two families have lost someone.”
Tucker described the emotional pain caused by his grandmother’s terrible death, saying, “It was the manner that she was taken is what hurt the most. Imagining my grandmother being torn apart in the middle of the street — that is what hurt me more than anything.”
According to reports, the dogs in question belonged to someone else, but Parker is thought to have been their caretaker. Patterson’s family is now demanding accountability from all those involved, including the dogs’ real owner.
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Patterson, whose life was cut short on July 11 by a violent dog attack while walking through her neighborhood, has been captured in new images as a cheerful, energetic woman.
“She was always one to say, ‘OK, well, you should get tired of crying now,'” Tucker recounted, adding that she would most likely say the same thing to him now.
Patterson recently had a memorial celebration.
“Thankfully, it was not a funeral,” Tucker said. “I believe she’s at peace, and because she’s at peace, I’m at peace.”
Meanwhile, LaGrange police are requesting anyone with additional information regarding the incident to call their department or Troup County Crime Stoppers at TIP411.
