(WBIR) We are learning more about an East Knox County man who was murdered during a home invasion on Friday afternoon.
The murder suspect is in custody.
Randy Lands, 44, was shot and killed when a man broke into his mother's home on Hunters Ridge Way in East Knox County.
Lands' sister and mother arrived at the home while the suspect was still there. He confronted the two women at gunpoint, then stole the sister's SUV.
After the man took the car, the sister, who was visiting from Michigan, went inside, saw Lands, and called 911.
About three hours later, deputies spotted the stolen SUV; the murder suspect led them on a high-speed chase. Knox County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) deputies forced the stolen car off the road. It crashed through the yard of a home off Lovell Road in West Knox County. Deputies then took him into custody.
"I could hardly believe it. It just stunned me," said Irene Lands, Randy's aunt, who spoke to 10News on the phone.
Irene found out the news from her home in Rockwood. She said Randy lived with a learning disability.
"Randy was disadvantaged. He had a condition caused by seizures. But he enjoyed life and liked to travel and go places with his family and be around people. But he was somewhat disadvantaged," she said.
Randy lived with his mother, Loretta Lands. According to Irene, while Randy did not have a job, he liked to take care of the home and do yard work. She said he was close with his mother.
"She knew that Randy had issues and she just stepped right up and took care of him for 44 years and now it ended this way. He had a full life," Irene said.
Irene's daughter went to Knoxville to be there for Loretta.
"Anybody who knows the value of prayer, lift up a prayer for them. It's going to be tough right here at Mother's Day for Loretta," said Irene.
We are still waiting for KCSO to release the name of the suspect.
