Murder charge dropped in fatal Middlesex shooting

The Johnston County District Attorney's Office on Tuesday dismissed murder and attempted murder charges against a Middlesex man in connection with a recent fatal shooting after determining that the man acted in self-defense.

Posted 9:44 p.m. Jan 21, 2014 — Updated 9:44 p.m. Jan 21, 2014

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — The Johnston County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday dismissed murder and attempted murder charges against a Middlesex man in connection with a recent fatal shooting after determining that the man acted in self-defense.

Jerome Bernard Neal, 29, was arrested on Jan. 11 following a shooting at 370 Barnes Lake Road in Middlesex. Darrick Hagans, 18, of Spring Hope, was killed in the shooting, and Kwami Jones, 19, also of Spring Hope, was wounded.

Interviews with witnesses and a review of evidence from the scene – a ski mask and two firearms were found near the house – showed that Hagans and Jones were armed and were trying to rob Neal and others in his home when Neal shot them, authorities said Tuesday.

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