Father Shoots Son In Early-Morning Case Of Self-Defense

ROSMAN, NORTH CAROLINA — A man was shot early Thursday morning by his father, according to the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office.  The incident happened about 7:25 a.m. on Stamey Creek Road, near the college town of Brevard.

Transylvania County received a 911 call from a person who witnessed portions of the incident, which occurred inside a home. Responding deputies arriving on the scene located a man with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was transported to Mission Hospital in Asheville, about 35 miles away, with serious injuries. He has been identified as Billy Jack (BJ) Gage III.

Officers detained his father, Billy Jack Gage Jr., at the scene. The witness was also initially detained for a while as a precautionary measure. “Based on information gathered during the investigation, investigators believe that BJ assaulted his father, Billy. Billy asked BJ to leave the residence. BJ refused to leave his parents’ residence then re-approached Billy in a threatening manner, at which time Billy shot BJ in the abdomen,” a news release from the sheriff’s office said.

After consulting with the District Attorney’s Office, authorities do not plan to lodge charges against the father according to a news release from Lt. Matthew C. Owen. Charges for assault have been filed against Billy Jack Gage III, who underwent surgery on Thursday.