Forest City Man Charged in West Marion Shooting

McDowell County, N.C. — A Forest City man has been charged after authorities say he shot out the rear windshield of a vehicle during an incident in the West Marion area.

Detective Billie Brown with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged Keith Middleton, 36, of Forest City, with felony Discharging a Weapon into an Occupied Vehicle. Middleton was given a $100,000 secured bond.

According to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a residence on August 29 following a report of a shooting. The caller told deputies that her boyfriend had allegedly shot out the back windshield of her vehicle as she was pulling out of the driveway.

Upon arriving at the residence, deputies spoke with Middleton and nearby neighbors regarding the incident. Deputies then went to a nearby business where the victim had driven the vehicle to work.

Investigators observed that the vehicle’s rear windshield had been shot out.

Following further investigation, Detective Brown determined that Middleton was responsible for the incident. He was subsequently charged with felony Discharging a Weapon into an Occupied Vehicle.

Middleton remains subject to the judicial process, and the charge is an allegation until proven guilty in court.