STATESVILLE — Statesville police have arrested one man and could arrest another individual after a 46-year-old man was found dead inside a home after police responded to reports of a burglary early Sunday.
Police received a call about a burglary at a home in the 1300 block of Harris Street just after midnight. Officers who responded found a man, later identified as William Bullin, suffering from swelling and lacerations.
Bullin told Eyewitness News that two men broke in through his front door, demanded money and began attacking him.
"I'm told them I'm broke, I don't got no money, no nothing," Bullin said. "They just started hitting. I'm lucky I got out of there alive."
However, while performing a routine sweep of the house, officers found the body of a man identified as Luis Mendoza, 46.
Bullin said he wasn't aware anyone was inside his home.
In an update to Eyewitness News reporters late Sunday, police said they believe Mendoza was in the home earlier in the night and got into an altercation with his ex-girlfriend.
The ex-girlfriend left but her current boyfriend Marcellus Brown, 27, returned, according to police.
Police said Brown and another man forced their way into the home and fought with Mendoza.
Police arrested Brown and charged him with murder Sunday afternoon.
However, even though an arrest has been made, many questions remain.
Police do not yet know if Brown was one of the intruders who attacked Bullin.
Police have also not been able to confirm or deny everything Bullin told Eyewitness News. Channel 9 agreed to show investigators video of the interview with Bullin to help them put together a timeline in the case.
"After we watched that interview, we're following up on some of the stuff he said to us prior and said to you in the interview -- trying to get a clearer picture story," said Lt. Scott Reed.
Brown appeared in court Monday morning and stood silently in handcuffs as a judge read the charge against him -- which is punishable by life in prison or the death penalty.
The judge said the court would appoint Brown an attorney.
Police are still looking for the second suspect involved in the attack. They don't have a description but said many leads are coming in from the public.
Eyewitness News will continue to update this developing story.
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