Man’s Guns Taken by Sheriff During Mental Health Treatment Returned After Treatment, Then Used to Fatally Shoot Mother During Domestic Dispute

ALEXANDER COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA — 36-year-old Christopher Brown of the Sugarloaf Community underwent mental health treatment in 2019, and his guns were seized by the Alexander County Sheriff’s Department. Following completion of the treatment, the Sheriff was required by law to return the guns to Brown.

Around 8:45 am on Wednesday morning, Brown allegedly used one of the guns to shoot his mother multiple times during a reported domestic dispute. The victim was transported to a medical helicopter landing zone by Alexander County EMS but succumbed to her injuries before the chopper could arrive.

Deputies learned that Brown was armed and had fled the scene in a small gray vehicle. The vehicle was located and a chase ensued, with Brown leading deputies back toward the house. He stopped near the house and was taken into custody by officers, who located the alleged murder weapon on his person.

Brown’s father told a local news reporter that his son suffers from mental health issues and confirmed his treatment last year, as well as the gun seizure and the return following treatment.

Neighbors stated that deputies have been called to the home in the past. Alexander County Sheriff Chris Bowman was quoted as saying “I wish there had been some legal way I could have kept them.”

Brown is being held at the Alexander County Detention Center without bond and awaiting a first appearance on first-degree murder charges on October 19^th.