Two Charged After Accidental Shooting Death In Rowan County

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Two people have been charged following an accidental shooting death in Rowan County on Thanksgiving Day.

Authorities say on November 22nd, 2018, 19-year-old Tyjuan Gibson died at the hospital after being shot at a residence in the 3200 block of Lincoln Avenue in Salisbury.

According to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Gibson was at the residence of 20-year-old Joseph Scott, with several other young people and guns were present.

Detectives say at some point during the incident, Talib Kelly, 17, handled one of the firearms and discharged the weapon, striking Gibson.

Kelly and another person took Gibson to the Emergency Room at Novant Rowan and left after he was taken inside.

Officials say Joseph Scott reported his vehicle stolen and told authorities he only knew the people at his residence by their “street names”.

Detectives found Scott’s vehicle abandoned near a relatives house on Vanderford Street in Salisbury.  Investigators used a Sheriff’s K-9 to locate a 12-gauge pump shotgun hidden in the woods behind the residence and retrieved a handgun that was removed from the scene of the shooting from a residence on Institute Street in Salisbury.

As a result of the investigation, Talib Kelly has been charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter and is being held on a $10,000 bond.

Joseph Scott was charged with Making a False Police Report and is being held on a $1,500 bond.