Man dead after reported Branchville home invasion

Published 2:20 pm Friday, August 19, 2022

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A reported home invasion in the town of Branchville late Friday night, Aug. 12, led to the death of a North Carolina man.

An Aug. 19 news release from the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office reported that the office received a call to respond to the 15000 block of Darden Street in reference to a home invasion and a shooting at about 11:57 p.m.

A deputy arrived shortly after midnight and found a male subject suffering from a reported gunshot wound, the release stated. The subject was identified as Delane Shoulders, 38, of Margarettsville, North Carolina. The deputy rendered aid until EMS personnel arrived. 

Police said that Shoulders was flown to Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 2:18 a.m.,Saturday, Aug. 13. His body was then transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.

Further investigation found that Shoulders allegedly forced entry into a residence in the 15000 block of Darden Street, the release stated. A physical altercation allegedly occurred between Shoulders and a woman who had recently ended a relationship with him. During this alleged altercation, Shoulders was reportedly shot once. 

“Everyone in the residence that night is cooperating with the investigation,” police said in the release. “The sheriff’s office is working with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and the investigation is ongoing.”

The Aug. 19 release concluded by stating that no charges had been filed at that time.