Shelby man shoots, kills stranger who attacked him with wooden rail, deputies say

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — An attack at a Shelby mobile home park early Wednesday morning led to a fatal shooting, officials with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Donald Bautista, who lives on Towery Road, was awakened by someone beating on the side of his home, authorities said. Bautista grabbed a pistol and went outside to see what was going on and saw someone dart into the woods behind his home.

Bautista continued to investigate, and Robert Burns attacked him with a wooden railing from a deck, authorities said.

Bautista sustained several defensive wounds before he fired one shot, killing Burns, according to deputies.

Investigators said Burns was staying with friends at another home in the trailer park and before the shooting, he got into another fight.

Witnesses said Burns was extremely impaired.

Bautista told investigators he did not know Burns.

The investigation is ongoing. No charges have been filed.

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