FROM STAFF REPORTS

A northern Iredell County resident faces a felony assault charge following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Brady Wayne Gaither Jr., 59, of Tabor Road in a news release Tuesday.

ICSO patrol deputies responded to a 911 call from 488 Tabor Road, near Harmony, on Friday, July 28, in reference to a possible home invasion and assault, the sheriff said. According to the news release, the caller reported that unknown persons had entered the home during the night and assaulted a 16-year-old juvenile who was sleeping on a couch.

When the deputies arrived on the scene, they located a juvenile victim with severe lacerations injuries to her face and head, Campbell said. The victim was transported to Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem for medical treatment due to the seriousness of her injuries.

Criminal Investigators and Crime Scene Investigators responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. Family members and witnesses were interviewed at the scene and at the hospital, according to the news release.

During the investigation, investigators determine that the juvenile was assaulted with a blunt object, which was also located inside the home, Campbell said.

Detectives also determined that a home invasion had not occurred. They learned the juvenile victim had been assaulted by Gaither, who is related to the victim and also lives in the home, according to the news release.

Based on the evidence gathered at the scene and witness statements, investigators obtained a warrant charging Gaither with Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury.

Gaither was arrested at his home by deputies and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was issued a $450,000 secured bond by Magistrate Hollar.

The incident is still under investigation, and further charges are possible, the sheriff said.

According to the ICSO, Gaither’s criminal history includes the following charges: Felony Discharge of a Weapon into Occupied Property, Felony Common Law Robbery, Felony Identity Theft, Felony Obstruction of Justice, Misdemeanor Injury to Real Property, Misdemeanor Assault on a Female, Misdemeanor Assault Inflict Serious Injury, Misdemeanor Simple Assault, Misdemeanor Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Misdemeanor Driving While License Revoked, Misdemeanor No Operators License, Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana, and Misdemeanor Speeding, and Misdemeanor Reckless Driving.