FROM STAFF REPORTS

A western Iredell County faces a dozen charges after he reportedly became upset with his noisy neighbors and fired multiple rounds from a handgun on Saturday, May 25.

Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest Richard Todd Lemons, 65,  of Little Valley Lane, Statesville, in a news release on Wednesday.

ICSO deputies were dispatched to Little Valley Lane on Saturday after a caller told emergency communications that neighbors were arguing and shots had been fired, Campbell said.

While responding, the deputies were informed that Lemons was the person firing shots, according to the news release.

Arriving deputies arrived immediately located Lemons, who was armed with a handgun, the sheriff said. After being directed to drop the weapon and surrender, he did so.

After taking statements from witnesses, deputies determined that Lemons had become angry with his neighbors for playing music and setting off fireworks before he fired shots at a group of people outside the home, according to the news release.

When one of the victims attempted to de-escalate  the situation by speaking to Lemons, the suspect pointed the handgun at him and continued firing, Campbell said.

One victim return fired; however, no serious injuries were reported in the incident.

Lemons was arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was taken before a magistrate who found probable cause to charge Lemons with six counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and six counts of misdemeanor communicating threats. Lemons was issued a $60,000 secured bond on the charges.