Deputies Make 6 Arrests After Alexander County Teen Accidentally Shoots Himself

Jesse Nussman,

UPDATE: Deputies have arrested six people in connection to a 15-year-old who accidentally shot himself in the stomach Wednesday.

According to reports, the following individuals have been arrested and charged:

  • Connie Brown, 68, is charged with one count of Misdemeanor Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
  • Melinda Brown, 63, is charged with one count of Misdemeanor Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
  • Andrew Brown, 17, is charged with Misdemeanor Simple Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance and Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia.
  • Juan Luis Gonzalez Shanchez, 17, is charged with Misdemeanor Simple Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance and Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia.
  • Cody Barnes, 20, is charged with Misdemeanor Simple Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance and Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia.
  • Garrett Whisnant, 22, is charged with Misdemeanor Simple Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance and Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia.

All are residents of Taylorsville and have a scheduled first appearance on June 26, 2017. Connie and Sharon Brown were placed under a $5000 secured bond, while the other suspects were placed under a $2000 secured bond.

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ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. —  Officials say a teenager accidentally shot himself in Alexander County.

On Wednesday, May 10th, authorities received a call that a 15-year-old had shot himself on Zeb Watts Road in the Ellendale Community.

Officers arrived on the scene shortly after the call was received, and found a white male who had an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen area. The victim was transported to Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory via ambulance by Alexander County EMS, where he underwent surgery.

Statements from witnesses at the time of the shooting indicate that the victim and other teenagers had three firearms lying on a swivel stool.

The victim grabbed a 9 mm pistol lying on the stool, causing the firearm to discharge, which caused the injury to the victim. The investigation is still in the very early stages and is ongoing.