Twins, 11, Held After Parents, Teen Sister Shot

Twin 11-year-old brothers were charged Friday with shooting their father to death as he bounded up a staircase after hearing shots fired at his wife, authorities said.

The boys, whose names were not released by Vance County investigators, then allegedly shot their 16-year-old sister and waited for police to arrive.

“It was a terrible, bloody mess. There was a lot of blood all through the house,” sheriff’s Capt. John C. Shockley said.

The twins face juvenile charges of murder and two counts each of assault with a deadly weapon. A juvenile court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

“Both were equally responsible. Both were equally involved,” Shockley said. He said the boys were being held Friday in separate juvenile centers.

Shockley said investigators didn’t know what set off the shootings.

William Harvey Bawcum Jr., 46, died at the scene Thursday night after being shot in the right cheek and throat at the family home, 35 miles north of Raleigh, Shockley said. A .32-caliber handgun that was recovered is believed to be the murder weapon, Shockley said.