Carl Shores' Shooting of Irving Brigman Christmas Eve Was Justified, Says Coroner's Inquest, Dec. 24, 1919

From the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Thursday afternoon, January 1, 1920

Justifiable Homicide. . . Federal Officer Carl Shores on Wednesday of Last Week Shoots Irving Brigman in self Defense While in Discharge of His Duty

Attacked while in the performance of his duty, Federal Prohibition Agent Carl Shores at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 24^th, shot and killed a white man, Irving Brigman, after Brigman had shot at him five times.

The Coroner’s inquest on December 26^th rendered a verdict that the killing was in self defense and justified.

Upon information that whiskey was to be found at Ellis Quinn’s six mies southeast of Hamlet, and near the State line, Federal Prohibition Agent Carl Shores, Deputy Collector John Morrison and Sheriff R.L. McDonald on the morning of the 24^th went to the Quinn house and after reading the search warrant to Quinn, proceeded to search the premises. While the officers arrived they found three or four cars and a number of men, these presumably having come there to buy whiskey.

The officers searched the house first, finding therein a half-gallon jar of blockade stuff; also visible on the shelves were quite a number of empty jars and jugs.

After searching the house, the officers separated and began a careful search of the outbuildings. At this juncture Irving Brigman approached from a nearby woods and when about 300 feet distant fired his pistol. Little attention was paid to him, however, but he kept advancing and when within 20 feet of Shores, he stopped and deliberately began firing at the officer; three shots were fired by him before Mr. Shores could change the half-gallon jar of whiskey form one arm to the other and draw his weapon. As quickly as the weapon could be drawn, he fired, the first shot missing Brigman. Brigman fired his last shot immediately after Shores fired his first. Shores’ deadly aim became effective on his next shots, for the second discharge sent the ball through Brigman’s neck and the third entered the man’s shoulder about two inches from the neck shot. Brigman fell in his tracks, still grasping the smoking empty pistol. Death resulted about half hour later.

Brigman used a 32-caliber Smith & Wesson, while Officer Shores’ gun was a 45-caliber Colt’s Automatic.

In the meantime, as soon as the firing commenced, one of Quinn’s sons grabbed a piece of piping and started towards where the battle was taking place. Two other men present started into the house, presumably to get possession of two shotguns therein. But, officer Morrison recovered the trio with his gun and commanded them to halt. And halt they did.

On Friday, Dec. 26^th, Coroner A.M. Smith held an inquest at the police office at Hamlet. The jury was composed of James L. Little, Thomas Clarke, E.D. Waters, Eli Clarke, L.P. Billingley. After hearing the evidence the jury rendered their decision that the deceased came to his death at the hands of Mr. Shores, who acted in self defense and was therefore justified.