Athens shooting victim may have intervened in argument

One of the victims in Saturday’s triple slaying in Athens may have tried to intervene before the shooting began.

Ben Teague, 63, a professional translator, was killed Saturday during a gathering with other members of a local theater group near the University of Georgia campus. Police suspect UGA marketing professor George Zinkhan shot his wife, Marie Bruce, Tom Tanner and Teague.

Related George Zinkhan news:

• Photos: Zinkhan's body found
• Fellow professor sent into hiding
• Details of suicide
• Dog finds body
• Reaction in Athens
• Timeline of events
• Audio: 911 call
• FBI: Zinkhan's wife had sought divorce

While the motive isn’t known, Athens-Clarke County Police Capt. Clarence Holeman told The Oak Ridger (Tenn.) newspaper that Zinkhan argued with his wife before the shooting and at some point Teague “tried to calm the situation.”

Holeman said Teague, an Oak Ridge native, was shot three times in the arm and fatally in the chest.