FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A Clarksville man has been sentenced to life plus 10 years in prison for the Oct. 14, 2018, murder of his wife and shooting of another man at Fort Campbell.

Victor E. Silvers, 33, was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky on convictions for first-degree murder, attempted murder, domestic violence resulting in death, violation of a protective order resulting in death, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and two counts of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, according to a news release. He will serve life plus 10 consecutive years; there is no parole in the federal system.

The murder

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Silvers drove from Clarksville to Fort Campbell on Oct. 14, 2018 and shot his estranged wife, Brittney Silvers, three times, killing her. Silvers also shot another man, James Keating.

Five days earlier, Brittney Silvers had been granted a Domestic Violence Order of Protection that prohibited Silvers from being within 300 feet of her or committing violent acts against her, according to the release.

Brittney Silvers was a soldier assigned to Fort Campbell at the time of her murder.

‘Shattered sense of security’

“I commend the work of the FBI, ATF, and Army CID during the investigation of this matter as well as the prosecution team for their outstanding presentation of the case at trial,” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett in the news release. “The soldiers assigned to Fort Campbell, their family members, and those who live and work on the installation were accustomed to feeling safe and secure within its boundaries. Silvers shattered the sense of security when he violently murdered his wife and shot another victim in October 2018. As a result of his brutal actions, he will justifiably spend the remainder of his life in a federal prison cell.”

This case was investigated by the FBI, ATF, and U.S. Army CID.

“Domestic violence oftentimes cripples extended families and even entire communities,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Cohen. “Brittney’s family, friends, and the Fort Campbell community will never be rid of the pain from this senseless murder, but hopefully this sentence gives everyone some sense of resolve knowing Silvers will spend the remainder of his life in a cell.”

Agencies involved

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Special Agent in Charge Ronald Yeatts of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Midcentral Field Office, made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Hancock, Leigh Ann Dycus, and Raymond McGee of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office prosecuted the case with the assistance of paralegal Christy Crockett.