FIRST ON 3 UPDATE: Man charged with brother’s murder

UPDATE: Wednesday evening Columbus County Sheriff’s deputies charged Dale Duncan with the murder of his brother Randall Duncan. Investigators say Dale shot his brother twice with a shotgun Monday night at Dale’s home near Tabor City. Dale Duncan claims self-defense. Investigators say it’s an open charge of murder, meaning they have not set the degree of offense yet.

Dale Duncan will make his first appearance in Columbus County Court this morning.

We’ll have much more on this story on WWAY NewsChannel 3 starting at 5 p.m.

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COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A family continues to grieve and search for answers about what happened Monday night at a Tabor City home. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office says Randall Duncan was shot once in the chest and once in the back around 10 p.m. Monday. Investigators say Duncan’s brother Dale shot him in the chest and back with a shotgun.

District Attorney Rex Gore says the case is still under investigation and no charges have been filed yet. The Duncan family says they still can’t believe Randall is gone.

“I can’t really remember what else happened. I know they were running around. The police officer was right up ahead of us. I just sat there with him until he took his last breaths,” Randall’s widow Ericia Duncan said.

Randall Duncan leaves behind his wife and four sons.

A quick side note: The family wanted us to share the photograph they have of Randall Duncan with you. They had already given their only copy to the Whiteville News Reporter and asked us to drive to the paper’s office and make a copy. Despite the family’s wishes, the staff at the newspaper refused to share that photo until after it hits newsstands Thursday morning.