Man charged in home break-in; other suspect was shot dead

Catawba County authorities said Friday they charged a Cherryville man in connection with a home break-in where the homeowner fatally shot another of the intruders.

The incident happened Monday at 9:25 a.m. on River Bend Road in northern Catawba County near the Alexander County line, Catawba Sheriff Coy Reid said.

The homeowner, who has not been identified, told authorities he heard a noise in his basement and fired his shotgun at one of the intruders, according to The Observer’s news partner, WBTV.

Vernon Bobby Dixon died on the way to the hospital, WBTV reported, while the other intruder had escaped.

The other suspect, Brandon Lineberger, 26, was arrested at his home Wednesday morning and charged with breaking-and-entering, Reid said.

The sheriff said his office is not recommending that the homeowner face charges in the shooting. A final decision on that issue will be made by the district attorney, likely next week, Reid said.

This story was originally published February 27, 2015 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Man charged in home break-in; other suspect was shot dead."