On April 3, 2025, George Dewey Turnmire, a 61-year-old white male from Kannapolis, North Carolina, was fatally shot in a residential home located at 280 Sylvester Road in China Grove, NC. According to the Rowan County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to the scene at approximately 3:23 p.m. following a 911 call reporting a shooting incident.
The caller, a female resident of the home, informed authorities that her neighbor, 61-year-old white male Michael Dean Brown, had entered the residence and shot her friend, George Dewey Turnmire.
Investigations revealed that prior to the shooting, a verbal altercation had occurred between George Dewey Turnmire and Michael Dean Brown. Subsequently, Brown allegedly forced his way into the home through the back door and shot George Dewey Turnmire twice in the back with a 20-gauge shotgun. At the time of the incident, the caller and four juveniles were present in the residence. They secured themselves in a room and remained unharmed during the event.
Upon arrival, deputies found George Dewey Turnmire deceased from his injuries. Michael Dean Brown was located on the porch of the home, awaiting law enforcement. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with murder. Brown is being held without bond, with his first court appearance scheduled for April 4, 2025.
George Dewey Turnmire's death is being mourned by his family and community. Carolina Cremation has been entrusted with the arrangements and has expressed condolences to the Turnmire family during this tragic time.
