Albemarle Police releases info on recent shootings

Published 11:33 am Friday, November 18, 2022

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The Albemarle Police Department served warrants on two men following an investigation that found the two men shot each other during a dispute.

The incident occurred on Oct. 27. The Albemarle Police Department was called to the 1000 block of Gibson Street for a report of a gunshot victim. Officers arrived at the scene and found a male, later identified as Jake Merriman, 34. Merriman was transported to the hospital.

Investigators learned a second male, later identified as Joseph James, 38, had also been shot. James was driven to the hospital prior to officers arriving.

Investigation revealed the men had fired upon each other.

Following their release from the hospital, Merriman and James were charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. Merriman and James are also charged with possession of firearm by felon.

Merriman has a court date scheduled for Dec. 12, while James has a court date of Dec. 19 in Stanly County.