CHINA GROVE – Two China Grove business owners are slated to be in court on Oct. 22 after a disagreement led to shots being fired and police using a stun gun on one of the men.
According to China Grove Police, officers received calls on Sept. 28 about shots being fired at Dixie’s Roasting Co., a coffee shop at 102 S. Main St. The disturbance involved Dixie’s owner Demian Stewart, 41, and the operator of neighboring China Grove Hardware, Terry Brown, 53.
Brown had been spray-painting an item behind his store, and the fumes were “affecting Stewart,” said Police Chief Eddie Kluttz. Stewart fired shots with a .45-caliber handgun from within his business, a police statement said.
Police arrived to investigate and secure the scene. Brown refused to leave the premises or to place his hands behind his back, according to a summons. An officer used a stun gun on him, the police report said.
Neither man was arrested at the scene, but criminal summons were issued Wednesday for both men to appear in court Oct. 22. Brown was cited for resisting a public officer and Stewart for assault by pointing a gun.
Contacted by a Post reporter, Stewart said his attorney advised him to refrain from commenting. Brown also declined comment.
J.K. Alley was the arresting China Grove police officer.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.