Witnesses say birthday party ends in deadly shooting in Lenoir

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — A man is dead after being shot late Tuesday night in Lenoir, according to the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said they responded to reports of a shooting around 11:15 p.m. to Harpertown Drive off Hoods Creek Road west of Lenoir.

Witnesses told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty a birthday party turned deadly when a family member was shot and killed.

Family members identified the victim as Douglass Burgess. Police said he was found dead in a grey Range Rover SUV from an apparent gunshot wound, the sheriff’s office said.

“He was a loving person,” said Romona Burgess, the victim’s wife. “It didn’t matter who you were, he was there for you.”

Other eyewitnesses said they believe the shooting was a case of self-defense.

They say Douglass Burgess was asked to leave the birthday party for his aunt and cousin. He then returned several times making threats.

“It was a small disagreement that turned into something that shouldn’t have happened, but it was not a murder,” said Urshula Steptoe. “It is not a murder”

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and Lenoir Police Department assisted the sheriff’s office with the investigation, deputies said.

The sheriff’s office told Channel 9 they don’t have anyone in custody and are trying to find a person of interest.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call deputies at 828-758-2324.

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

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