Deputies: Man found dead in garage may have been accidentally shot

STANLY COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities are investigating after a man was found shot to death in his garage last Friday in Stanly County.

Deputies were called around 8:25 p.m. to the home on Clover Lane in the Millingsport neighborhood and found Dwight Almond, 63, dead inside his exterior garage from what appeared to be a gunshot wound.

"The victim was in a building just enjoying a Friday evening watching TV and reading the paper,” Stanly County Sheriff George Burris said.

Almond’s wife told deputies that she heard several gunshots just before her husband was found inside their garage. Evidence of the shooting was discovered by investigators.

Deputies soon found two people from an adjacent property who had been target shooting just before Almond was found dead. Three guns, as well as ammunition, were seized from the two.

Resident Casey Huffman said there are a lot of people in the area shooting weapons for target practice and hunting.

"It's been expected with all the shooting and everything, especially at night,” Huffman said. “It was just a matter of time before a stray bullet went somewhere."

The investigation is ongoing as evidence is being processed and examined, according to the sheriff’s office.

He said the accident is a tragic reminder of the safety rules gun owners needs to follow.

"I just want people to know how serious we are,” Burris said. “I'm all for having fun. I take my kids out and we target practice, but if you're doing it in an unsafe manner, and you're a neighbor, and you feel threatened, then (you) need to call law enforcement and get us out there."

No arrests have been made and no charges have been filed.

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