GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office released a detailed summary of its investigation into the shooting death of a Pitt County man on Jan. 1. The information was being delivered to the District Attorney’s office to see what steps would be taken next into the investigation.

Brandon Hardy was shot and killed on Jan. 1 at 3340 Alvin Rd. in Grimesland, the home of Belinda Matthews. Officials said she had been in a long-term relationship with Hardy and Robert Green.

Family members of Brandon Hardy demand justice and answers

In the detailed account of the shooting death of Hardy, investigators said Hardy went to Matthews’ home just after 3 a.m. on Jan. 1 and found Green and Matthews in her bedroom.

Pitt County Sheriff’s Office completes investigation into January shooting death of Grimesland man

“Witness statements confirm that Hardy then entered Matthews’ bedroom, surprising Green and Matthews.  Hardy assaulted Green and then forced Green to the back door at gunpoint.  Green was then able to retrieve his firearm from his pocket and fired, striking Hardy once.  Physical evidence confirms that Green was assaulted.  Green exited the home.  He placed his firearm in his vehicle (where deputies later recovered it) and fled to safety in the darkness.  Matthews called 911.”

Deputies said Green eventually surrendered, saying he was the shooter.

“All evidence collected at the scene along with the witness statements corroborate Green’s statements. The witnesses include an 11-year-old and 12-year-old who were present in the home and witnessed most of the altercation between Green and Hardy. Deputies recovered a firearm near the back door inside the residence.  Witnesses confirmed the weapon as being the one possessed by Hardy.”

Thursday, family members, friends and others held a press conference at the Grenville courthouse. Family spokesperson Keith Cooper also spoke at the event. In the speech, family members said they are seeking the U.S. Justice Department to investigate.

Below is the full text of the statement that was released by the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office.

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The following summary sets forth the facts as determined in our comprehensive investigation of the events leading to the January 1, 2022 shooting death of Brandon Hardy.  The events occurred at 3340 Alvin Rd. in Grimesland, the home of Belinda Matthews, who had been in long term relationships with both Brandon Hardy and Robert Green. 

Phone records from December 31, 2021, show that Matthews had invited Hardy to her home to celebrate New Year’s Eve.  Between 8:48 PM on December 31, 2021, and 12:46 AM on January 1, 2022, Hardy and Matthews exchanged text messages regarding the invitation.  After Hardy failed to show up by midnight, Matthews texted Hardy that she was ending their relationship.  At 12:46 AM, Matthews texted Hardy “Good luck.”  She tried to call him one more time at 12:48 AM, but the call went unanswered.  Between 1:44 AM and 2:03 AM, Hardy texted Matthews twice and tried calling her three times.  Records show that the text messages and calls went unanswered.  Matthews confirmed that she had blocked his number on her phone following her last call at 12:48 AM. 

There are no records of any communication between Green and Matthews after 7:50 AM on December 30, 2021.  At 1:35 AM on January 1, 2022, Robert Green arrived at the residence of Belinda Matthews.  There is no evidence that Matthews invited Green to her house that evening or knew that he was coming over. 

Witnesses confirm that, prior to entering the home, Green fired his firearm into the air as a celebratory New Year’s gesture.  Green then entered the residence, still in possession of the firearm.  He and Matthews were sitting on her bed talking. Sometime after 3 AM, Hardy arrived at Matthews’ residence.  He parked his car in the roadway, blocking the driveway.  He left the hood up on his vehicle and, carrying a firearm, quietly entered the home through a side door using a key he had in his possession.  Witness statements confirm that Hardy then entered Matthews’ bedroom, surprising Green and Matthews.  Hardy assaulted Green and then forced Green to the back door at gunpoint.  Green was then able to retrieve his firearm from his pocket and

fired, striking Hardy once.  Physical evidence confirms that Green was assaulted.  Green exited the home.  He placed his firearm in his vehicle (where deputies later recovered it) and fled to safety in the darkness.  Matthews called 911.

Once deputies arrived, Green came out of the darkness and surrendered to law enforcement, saying that he was the shooter.  All evidence collected at the scene along with the witness statements corroborate Green’s statements.  The witnesses include an 11-year-old and 12-year-old who were present in the home and witnessed most of the altercation between Green and Hardy.  Deputies recovered a firearm near the back door inside the residence.  Witnesses confirmed the weapon as being the one possessed by Hardy.

We as law enforcement officers and criminal investigators are fact finders.  Every case we work is unique, yet in every case, the evidence must be collected and processed systematically, piece by piece.  In some homicide cases, we have sufficient probable cause from the evidence to make an arrest at the scene.  Sometimes our investigations reveal additional evidence that provides sufficient probable cause to obtain a warrant for a suspect’s arrest shortly after the event.  In other cases, as in this case, the evidence of the essential elements of a criminal offense is insufficient for us to make an arrest or to obtain a warrant absent guidance from the District Attorney’s Office.  We cannot make an arrest, and therefore bring the full weight of the criminal justice system to bear on a suspect, unless we in good faith expect the District Attorney’s Office to prosecute this case.  In these circumstances, as we have done in this case, we submit the findings and details of our investigation to the District Attorney’s Office and await their decision.