RURAL HALL, N.C. — A 72-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly firing shots at the home and vehicle of a Walmart manager, an incident believed to be linked to the recent termination of the suspect’s girlfriend from her job at the store.
Larry Keaton Brown was taken into custody earlier this week and faces several felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and multiple counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, according to local authorities.
The situation unfolded on October 10, when deputies with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire on Pullman Drive. A concerned resident reported that their residence had been struck by several bullets, although fortunately, no injuries were reported at the scene.
Shortly thereafter, investigators discovered that a shooting had also occurred at the Walmart in King, where the manager’s car was found with multiple bullet holes. The manager was not inside the vehicle at the time of the incident, adding a layer of concern over the potential for injury.
Using forensic analysis, detectives from both the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and the King Police Department established a connection between the two shooting incidents. Evidence from both locations suggested the attacks were retaliatory acts motivated by the girlfriend’s firing, though officials have not disclosed the specifics of how they determined this link.
Brown was apprehended during a traffic stop, where he allegedly attempted to reach for a firearm. Law enforcement quickly subdued him and secured the weapon. Moreover, during a search of Brown’s home earlier in the month, investigators reportedly discovered explosive devices, resulting in an additional charge of possession of a weapon of mass destruction.
Currently, Brown is being held without bond at the Stokes County Detention Center. Details about his next court appearance have not yet been made public.
Authorities have confirmed that no injuries have occurred in connection with either shooting incident. The investigation is ongoing, and officials are continuing to explore any further links or motives related to the case.