Rowan County man charged in father’s death

SALISBURY, N.C. – A 30-year-old man is facing charges for shooting and killing his father in Salisbury in July 2025, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

On July 15, 2025, deputies responded to the 2600 block of West Innes Street in Salisbury. Deputies said a father and a son were driving separate vehicles when a collision occurred followed by an exchange of gunfire.

The father, 53-year-old Tracy Kinser, was found in a wooded area nearby with a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to the hospital but was pronounced dead.

Evidence from the crime scene shows that 30-year-old Trace Kinser positioned his vehicle in front of his father’s truck and quickly stopped, resulting in his father crashing into him, deputies said. Evidence also indicates that both men discharged firearms during the incident, the sheriff’s office said.

Trace Kinser was arrested on Feb. 4, 2026 and charged with Voluntary Manslaughter. He is being held at the Rowan County Detention Center without bond.