A Baxter County man will serve prison time after an altercation last year in which his girlfriend sustained a gunshot wound during a struggle over a firearm.
Tyler Chase Tedder, 38, was sentenced to 10 years in prison with six years suspended after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the March 2023 incident. The case involved multiple alleged offenses, including aggravated assault and intimidating a witness. His sentence was handed down Monday in Baxter County Circuit Court.
According to court records, authorities were contacted after the victim sought treatment at Baxter Health on March 8, 2023. Police interviewed the woman, who described a dispute that escalated into violence. She said the argument began at the couple's residence before both briefly left. When she returned to gather belongings, she encountered Tedder in the driveway.
The victim alleged Tedder pulled her from her vehicle, leading to a physical altercation. During the struggle, the two fought over a 9 mm handgun, which discharged, striking her in the upper right leg. The injured woman said Tedder then entered her vehicle and drove it back toward the residence, leaving her to walk to the house, where she still hoped to retrieve her belongings.
Authorities say Tedder prevented the woman from leaving to seek medical attention and confiscated her cellphone. The victim told investigators she convinced Tedder to let her go by claiming she would have the wound treated by a paramedic friend rather than going to the hospital. She stated she invented the story, fearing Tedder would not let her leave if he suspected the incident might be reported to law enforcement.
Once released, the victim said she headed to the hospital and provided police with threatening text messages she received from Tedder during her journey. According to court filings, the messages warned her against involving authorities, including one saying, "You don’t want me as an enemy." Another message referred to her as a “tattletale” and expressed anger over the situation.
The victim reported a history of abusive behavior during their 16-year relationship but said she never reported prior incidents.
In addition to the March 2023 incident, Tedder faces charges in an unrelated case involving a high-speed pursuit with authorities earlier this year. According to the probable cause affidavit, a Baxter County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop Tedder on May 3, 2024, after observing him speeding on a motorcycle. Tedder allegedly fled at speeds exceeding 70 mph, ultimately abandoning the motorcycle and fleeing on foot. He was later apprehended about 100 yards from the scene.
Tedder is charged with felony fleeing in a vehicle, speeding, and operating a motorcycle without the proper license endorsement in connection with that incident.