Brandon Charles Adams, a 49-year-old white male, passed away on December 13, 2020, in Morganton, North Carolina. Born on May 27, 1971, in Sumter, South Carolina, Brandon was the son of Ann R. Adams and Dexter Elwood Adams. He worked as a supervisor for Spectrum and was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. Brandon was known for his sense of humor and his ability to make people laugh.
He is survived by his daughters, Hannah Adams of Durham and Chloe Adams of Morganton, their mother, Donna Adams, his parents, Dexter and Ann Adams, and several siblings and extended family members.
The circumstances surrounding Brandon's death were tragic. On the night of December 13, 2020, Brandon was at the home of his long-time friend, George Allison, on Skyland Drive in Morganton. According to court records, the two had been friends for nearly 20 years. Brandon's girlfriend was also present at the time of the incident. During the evening, George Allison retrieved a shotgun from a bedroom and pointed it at Brandon. Witnesses testified that Allison counted down to zero multiple times before firing a shot at Brandon's chest. The gunshot wound proved fatal, leading to Brandon's death.
George Allison, a 65-year-old white male, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He initially claimed that he did not intend to shoot Brandon and believed the gun's safety feature was on. However, during the trial, Allison testified that he did "what he had to do." The trial began on October 24, 2022, and concluded on October 28, 2022, with a Burke County jury finding Allison guilty of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 12 to 15 years in prison and will serve his sentence in the custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.
The case was investigated by the Burke County Sheriff's Office, and the prosecution was handled by Assistant District Attorneys Mitch Walker and Jason Smith. The trial was presided over by Superior Court Judge Jacqueline D. Grant from Buncombe County. The jury deliberated for a little more than two hours before returning the guilty verdict. Brandon's girlfriend, who witnessed the shooting, testified that Brandon was not aggressive toward anyone while at Allison's home and never entered the residence. The tragic incident has left a lasting impact on Brandon's family and friends, who continue to mourn his loss.
