Selma man shoots brother-in-law, charged with murder

Published 11:54 am Monday, March 21, 2016

A Selma man died Saturday after being allegedly shot by his brother-in-law.

The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Christopher McNeil of Selma, according to District Attorney Michael Jackson.

“We’ve had a lot of domestic violence situations that have escalated into very dangerous situations, and this is a perfect example of how things can escalate further into a point of tragedy,” Jackson said. “It should have never reached this point. People have to control their anger.”

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The suspect, Sandy Rhodes, 48, also of Selma, has been charged with murder, according to Police Chief John Brock.

Selma Police Department officers arrived at the 100 block of College Drive in response to a shooting just after 10 p.m. Saturday. Officers found the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene, lying in the bathroom and Rhodes in a nearby bedroom.

“It looks like a domestic dispute gone bad for whatever reason,” Brock said.

According to investigators, McNeil and his wife had been arguing when Rhodes tried to intervene and things escalated from there. The suspect left the scene and returned with a handgun. A .45 handgun was recovered from the scene.

The victim was shot once in the chest and retreated to the bathroom for shelter, according to Lt. Sam Miller.

Rhodes went to a bedroom and waited for police to arrive. He was arrested and charged with murder.

Rhodes’ bond was set Monday afternoon at $250,000 by District Judge Robert Armstrong, according to Jackson.

The preliminary hearing will be held April 5 at 9 a.m.