Local

71-year-old man charged in Caldwell Co. shooting

GRANITE FALLS, N.C. — A 71-year-old man has been charged in connection with a shooting in Caldwell County, the sheriff's office said.

The lead investigator in the case said the incident involved a dispute over the property line between two homes.

Deputies were called to Kistler Lane around 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Deputies said neighbor Ralph Barker shot and killed Danny Bowman, 67, inside Bowman's pickup truck.

State Bureau of Investigation agents and Caldwell County sheriff deputies removed evidence from a shotgun blast they believe was fired through an open window in the truck.

"I heard two shots," said neighbor Mae Cline.

She has known Barker for years and was stunned to hear what happened feet from her front door.

"I couldn't believe it. I knew Danny was giving him trouble once in a while, but I couldn't believe it because Ralph is such a kind, kind person. But I guess he took all he could take," Cline said.

Neighbors said Bowman, who died at the scene, had been in an ongoing dispute with several people in the neighborhood.

Many of the neighbors Eyewitness News spoke with are more concerned about Barker than about the man he is accused of killing.

Jim Kistler was friends with Barker. He doesn't believe Barker should be in a jail cell.

"Wonderful man. Good Christian man. Just the best friend anyone would want to have. Give you the shirt off his back," Kistler said.

Late Thursday night, deputies charged Barker. He is scheduled to go before a judge Monday morning in Lenoir.

0