Police: 70-Year-Old Father Shot, Killed Son in Self-Defense

Police say a 70-year-old father who shot and killed his 47-year-old son will face no charges because the action was taken in self-defense.

The self-defense shooting occurred in Gastonia, North Carolina, shortly after 8 pm Monday night.

According to WCNC, the father — Dwight Patterson — shot and killed his son — Steven Patterson — “during a confrontation.” The Patterson’s neighbors “confirm a history of domestic issues at the house.” Even though the shooting was ruled self-defense, police spokeswoman Donna Lahser said, “These type things are very tragic, and it’s hard on everybody in the family.”

The Gaston Gazette reports that the son “was a felon who served two separate prison stints, but had no violent crime conviction record.” His convictions included ” identity fraud, forgery and uttering a forged incident, crimes that put him behind bars for 15 months.”

No details were released as to where the fatal bullet — or bullets — struck the younger Patterson.

AWR Hawkins is the Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.