Pender County man pleads guilty to attempted murder

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Terry Lee Branch, age 27 of Richlands, pled guilty today in Pender County Superior Court to two counts of attempted first degree murder, before Judge Phyllis Gorham.

Branch was sentenced to 12-15 years in the Department of Adult Correction.

On January 15, 2016, in the middle of the afternoon, Terry Branch followed another vehicle, occupied by three persons, to a Maple Hill convenience store. When the other vehicle stopped at the convenience store, Branch got out of his vehicle and opened fire on the vehicle with approximately 11 shots. One victim was shot in the face and back and another victim was shot in the arm. Both victims made a full recovery. This act was committed in broad daylight and in front of numerous eye witnesses. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Branch previously had a dispute with the victim who was shot in the face.

Additionally, a firearm was later seized from Branch at the time of his arrest. The firearm was tested and was found to have fired the 11 shells found at the scene.