A family fight in a Kinston mobile home park turned into a criminal case on Friday when deputies say one brother swung a hatchet at the other, sending the victim to the hospital and the suspect to jail with no bond.
The confrontation unfolded in the 2000 block of Ham Street, where Lenoir County deputies say a dispute between two brothers escalated into violence inside a home. The injured man was taken to UNC Health Lenoir with wounds to his left upper arm, and investigators say they are still sorting out why the fight started. Authorities identified the suspect as 40-year-old Linwood Carlton of Kinston.
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office said in a June 22 news release that deputies were called to the scene for an altercation between two brothers that resulted in serious injuries, according to The Charlotte Observer. Deputies alleged that one brother struck the other with a hatchet, then retreated to a bedroom and refused to surrender when ordered. Officials said deputies used pepper spray to take the man into custody, then had him transported for decontamination before booking.
How Deputies Say It Unfolded
Investigators described a sudden burst of violence inside the home that rattled nearby residents and triggered a 911 call. The victim’s injury was focused on his left upper arm, and he remained hospitalized for treatment. Sheriff’s investigators said they continued to process the scene and conduct interviews as they worked to piece together exactly what happened and why.
Charges and Detention
Court records and the sheriff’s office report that Carlton is charged with felony attempted first-degree murder, felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury, and resisting a public officer, and is being held without bond, as reported by The Charlotte Observer. Authorities said he was taken to a facility for pepper spray decontamination after his arrest. Prosecutors have not released a possible motive, and public records available at the time did not list a court date.
What the Charges Mean
The felony counts allege violent offenses that can bring significant prison time if proven in court. The case will move through Lenoir County’s criminal justice system, with the sheriff’s office leading the investigation and the Lenoir County district attorney’s office deciding what formal charges move forward based on the evidence.
Kinston is about an 80-mile drive southeast of downtown Raleigh. Authorities asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office. No additional details had been released, and this report will be updated if more information or new court filings become available.
