Fatal Shooting In Rowan County Ruled Self-Defense

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. – The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office determined that a 2023 shooting that killed 23-year-old Matthew Tyler King was justified, saying the killing was in self-defense.

The incident took place on May 28th, 2023 on Old Beatty Ford Road near Rockwell. Around 8:22 p.m., a female witness called 911 about the shooting. 

Officials say that King went over to Jeremy Kepley’s house. An argument between the two occurred, resulting in King grabbing a firearm and pointing it at Kepley. 

In defense, Kepley grabbed another firearm and fired a single shot at King, killing him. Officials say King was dead before first responders arrived.

An investigation found that Kepley was justified in shooting King based on a gun being pointed at him. However, Kepley used a sawed-off shotgun to kill King, which is illegal to own.

Kepley was charged with possessing a weapon of mass destruction on Monday, February 5th, 2024. He was released on $2,000 bond.

No further charges will be filed in this case, the sheriff’s office said.