Man charged with attempted murder after shooting in Bolton

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — One man is in critical condition after being shot multiple times in his leg and torso.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office says it happened Friday on Buckhead Road in Bolton. As they were responding to the shooting, they learned a woman had also been hit by a vehicle in the same area.

The shooting victim, Antwan Branton, 27, of Bolton was already on the way to the hospital in a private vehicle when deputies spotted him and the vehicle on Old Lake Road. Branton was then taken to the hospital and later airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Investigators say it all began when Douglas Blake Freeman and Branton got into an argument that turned physical. Branton was then trying to escape the shots that were being fired when deputies say he unintentionally ran over a woman who was also there.

Freeman left and later returned while deputies and investigators were still on scene. He was taken into custody and charged with first degree attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle. He is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said that Freeman was trying to escape the scene and unintentionally ran over a woman. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office corrected their news release to say Branton was the one trying to escape.