A wounded nephew killed his uncle in a shoot-out — apparently over a prized pet fighting rooster — early Wednesday morning at a Moore Cemetary Road mobile home near Decatur, Tenn., in Meigs County, authorities said.

Killed in a 2 a.m. hail of gunfire was Timothy Dewayne Johnson, 52, whose body was found in the driveway. His seriously wounded nephew, Larry Eugene Johnson Jr., 28, was inside the trailer when authorities arrived.

The rooster, reportedly named “Bubba,” is of a variety that’s bred to engage in combat, but had been Timothy Johnson’s “pet” for several years, Meigs County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Alex Clary said. The bird was found tied to a chair outside the trailer.

“I guess that’s the way these people keep their chickens,” Clary said. “I’m having a hard time believing it was over a chicken.”

The bird was unharmed and left with food and water within reach.

Timothy Johnson had arrived at Larry Johnson’s mobile home and confronted his nephew to accuse him of stealing the gamecock, according to a news release from 9th Judicial District Attorney General Russell Johnson.

Larry Johnson told a bystander his uncle had drawn a gun and that he was trying to grab the gun when he was shot in his chest under his left arm, according to the release. Larry Johnson “retreated and returned fire multiple times with a pistol he was carrying,” according to the release.  (KNOXNEWS)