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Shooting suspect, victim had history of disputes over pets, deputies say

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Iredell County deputies arrested and charged Leanna Perkins, 26, with attempted murder after they say she shot her neighbor Thursday morning outside her home.

(Leanna Perkins)

Authorities said it happened around 6:45 a.m. on Society Road, between Old Mocksville Road and Interstate 40.

Deputies said Perkins told them she had heard someone blowing a car horn and when she looked outside she saw a man in a car. She said she thought the man was going to open the door to get out and claimed she was in fear and shot in the direction of the car.

She ended up striking Timothy Campbell, 38, in his abdomen, deputies said.

Detectives spoke with multiple witnesses in the area and found out that Perkins and Campbell only knew each other because of a history of problems with pets going on the property of the other.

Family members of Campbell said he went to Perkins' house to tell her that her cat was on his property and that she needed to get it before he let out his dogs.

Neighbors also said they have seen the dogs on the woman's property before, and are stunned this happened along their quiet, country road.

"Shocking, very shocking,” said Margaret Miller. “Especially in this community because nothing ever happens in this community."

Detectives believe that Campbell never exited his vehicle and only blew his car horn in an attempt to get Perkins to go outside. They also believe she was the only one with a weapon and after seeing Campbell's car, she went and got the gun in her home.

Paramedics transported Campbell to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Winston-Salem.

Perkins was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center and given a $350,000 bond.

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