Sanford man accused of shooting father, reporting suicide

Sanford, N.C. — Lee County authorities charged a man with killing his father Sunday night.

Kevin Lance Key, 26, originally called 911 and reported that his father, Eddie Leroy Key, 54, had committed suicide at their house, investigators said.

When deputies arrived at 521 Key Road, they found Eddie Key dead of a gunshot wound to the head.

Kevin Key told deputies that he saw his father with a rifle to his head, authorities said. Kevin Key said he tried to get the gun from his father, but that his father fired the gun before he could grab it, officials said.

A deputy noticed the evidence didn’t match Kevin Key’s statements, authorities said. Kevin Key later admitted to killing his father in retaliation for years of abuse, officials said.

Deputies charges Kevin Key with murder and held him in the Lee County Jail under no bond.