Teen accidentally shoots, kills brother at Catawba County home, family says

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — The family of a teenager accused of shooting and killing his older brother told Channel 9 it was an accident.

It happened after 8 p.m. Wednesday on Dublin Drive in the Springdale community, west of Newton.

Investigators said they found Isaiah Johnson, 21, shot and killed inside a car outside the home.

Someone living at the home told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty that Johnson, who was from Shelby, was visiting his younger brother when the teenager shot and killed Johnson inside the car. Family members told Faherty they believe it was an accident.

One neighbor told Faherty he woke up to the sound of someone taking a ball bat to a windshield. He said when he got outside, he could see someone lying in the driveway next to where that shooting happened.

Faherty asked sheriff’s investigators whether or not this was an accidental shooting but they said they aren’t commenting about that at this point. They also said they can’t comment on the involvement of any juveniles in criminal cases.

Family members said Johnson was trying to be a role model for his younger brother and was working two different jobs. They are grieving the loss of Johnson while trying to help his younger brother.

“An accident has happened and I’ve lost my nephew. My other nephew has lost his brother,” Randy Letterman said. ”You walked into a room and he was smiling, he was laughing, he was telling a joke, you know? He made everybody smile.”

Investigators said they will be working with the district attorney’s office before deciding on any possible charges.

The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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Man facing DWI, multiple hit-and-run charges after arrest in Catawba Co.

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