Morning Family Dispute on Rock Road Ends in Deadly Shooting and Standoff Tragedy
The quiet community along Rock Road, usually peaceful in the early morning hours, became the center of a tragic family shooting that left one man dead and another severely injured. The incident unfolded when Randall Mabe, 80, was shot by his own brother, Fredrick Mabe, 72, after a heated argument spiraled violently out of control.
According to investigators, the brothers had been in a tense verbal dispute that quickly escalated. Neighbors later told authorities they heard shouting between the two men moments before gunfire erupted. Randall was struck by a bullet that tore through his body, causing him to collapse in the middle of Rock Road, bleeding heavily and struggling for breath. Witnesses immediately called 911, describing the horrifying scene of an elderly man lying on the pavement as his brother fled inside a nearby home.
Law enforcement officers and emergency medics rushed to the scene within minutes. Troopers from the State Police Special Response Team (SRT) arrived and began setting up a perimeter around the residence where Fredrick had barricaded himself inside. Armed and emotionally unstable, Fredrick locked the doors and refused to come out, keeping his handgun in hand as negotiators tried for hours to talk him down.
Authorities confirmed that officers followed standard de-escalation protocols, maintaining a secure distance and using loudspeakers to communicate with the suspect. Despite their repeated calls for peace, Fredrick made no effort to surrender. Negotiators urged him to drop the weapon and exit safely, assuring him he would receive medical attention and fair treatment, but the situation continued to deteriorate.
As daylight stretched into late morning, the Special Response Team decided to approach the residence cautiously. The plan was to make entry after confirming that communication had failed and that Fredrick appeared increasingly agitated and potentially dangerous to himself or others. The moment the SRT team entered the doorway, Fredrick reportedly opened fire on the officers, forcing them to respond in self-defense. Multiple rounds were exchanged in a matter of seconds.
When the gunfire ceased, officers secured the home and found Fredrick Mabe fatally wounded on the floor. Emergency medical teams rendered immediate aid, but he was pronounced deceased at the scene. No officers were seriously injured during the exchange.
Meanwhile, Randall Mabe, who had been shot earlier, received immediate care from first responders. Troopers applied emergency bandages and pressure to stop the bleeding before he was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. Medical officials have since confirmed that Randall’s wound, though serious, is expected to heal completely. Doctors noted that the bullet missed vital organs, a fortunate turn in an otherwise devastating morning.
Investigators from the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and local police are now conducting a full forensic review of the incident. They are examining ballistic evidence, reviewing footage from body cameras and patrol units, and interviewing nearby residents to piece together the precise sequence of events. Preliminary findings indicate that the brothers’ argument had been building for days, possibly over property or family matters, though officials have not yet released an exact motive.
The community remains stunned by the tragedy. Neighbors described both men as lifelong residents who were generally quiet and kept to themselves. “You never expect something like this between brothers,” one neighbor said. “They were older men. We just can’t believe it ended this way.”
The police have confirmed that the investigation will remain open until all forensic results are complete. Crime scene technicians spent hours at the scene collecting shell casings, mapping the trajectory of bullets, and documenting the damage inside the home. Every piece of evidence will be analyzed to determine the exact timing of the shots fired by both brothers and by responding officers.
The aftermath of the incident has left a deep mark on the Rock Road neighborhood — a reminder of how quickly conflict can spiral into irreversible tragedy. Family members of both Randall and Fredrick have asked for privacy as they process their grief.
As of the latest update, Randall Mabe remains in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery with time and rest. Authorities say his cooperation will be crucial in completing the investigation and understanding the final moments before his brother’s fatal decision.
The standoff has concluded, but its echoes continue through the quiet streets of Rock Road — where one brother’s life was lost, another’s forever changed, and a family now struggles to heal from a moment that will never be forgotten.