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Wayne Authorities Remain Tight-Lipped About Nov. Double Shooting, Dec. Suicide

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WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — Investigators in Wayne County have been tight-lipped about a double shooting. Now, they are looking into a case of suicide involving a member of that same family.

In November, a double shooting stunned a rural Wayne County community. Authorities say 45-year-old Peggy Brock was dead and her husband, Muriel, was shot 15 times, but survived. Seven weeks later, Peggy Brock's son, Jason Bradford, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"[It's a] tough tragedy on the family, tough on the family all around," Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders said.

Neighbors told WRAL they are curious if there is a connection between the two incidents, but Muriel Brock told WRAL he is sure his stepson had nothing to do with the November shootings.

Although Winders said Bradford had not been considered a suspect in his mother and stepfather's shootings, investigators had wanted to question him. When pressed about a possible connection, Winders said, "You always look at all aspects of it, but we're not making any presumptions at this time."

Bradford will be buried on Saturday right next to his mother. Muriel Brock, who was released from the hospital on Wednesday, said he is still trying to deal with his wife's death, and that his recovery is slow in coming.

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