Wendell man tells 911 dispatcher he shot teen who entered his home

Wendell, N.C. — A Wendell man told a 911 dispatcher last week that he fatally shot a Corinth Holders High School freshman when the teen entered his home.

The information Robert Keith Furey provided in the call, which was released Thursday, differs from the story he told Johnston County Sheriff's Office investigators.

Authorities said Saturday that Nick Exley, 15, was killed late Friday while Furey was showing him a gun and it went off.

In the 911 call, Furey said he shot Exley with a "high-powered rifle" as the teen walked into his home at 200 David Road through the open front door. He told the dispatcher that he didn't know who was coming inside when he fired.

"I've known him since he was a little child. Oh, I cannot believe this," Furey, who becomes more distraught as the call goes on, told the dispatcher. "I just killed my little buddy."

Exley lived with his grandmother across the street from Furey.

Furey, 55, has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the incident. He is being held in the Johnson County jail under a $250,000 bond.

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Latest Comments

@nchighlander what does this man's DWI charge have to do with this story or are you one of those that will constantly use something like that to your advantage no matter when or how old or not knowing the circumstances?

jjsmith1973
December 28, 2012 3:15 p.m.

The man should be charged with 1st degree murder.

icmfal
December 28, 2012 12:14 p.m.

Wonder why this guy was so paranoid as to have a rifle on hand to shoot whomever was walking in his open door? Does he often raise a rifle at visitors to his home? There is a LOT more to this story we aren't getting.

dwntwnboy2
December 28, 2012 12:04 p.m.

This is indeed a true Tragedy,My daughter rode the bus with Nick and he was a great Child, a innocent Child. I think this was a accident, however when you own a gun, anytime that bullet leaves the chamber, you need to be sure where its headed, and be able to accept responsibility for anything not intended!We need to push for stronger gun safety laws,some people are just unaware of the safety measures with owning a gun.

bootycakes78
December 28, 2012 11:46 a.m.

"every person should know not to be in front of the barrel."

Seriously? When you go into your next door neighbor's home, are you expecting someone to be pointing a gun at you?