Brandon Hardy, 38, of Grimesland, North Carolina, was shot and killed on January 1, 2022, at the home of Belinda Matthews. According to the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, Hardy arrived at Matthews’ house just after 3 a.m., found Robert Green and Matthews in the bedroom, assaulted Green and forced him toward the back door at gunpoint. Green retrieved a firearm from his pocket and shot Hardy once; deputies recovered a firearm near the back door that witnesses identified as the one Hardy had.

The Sheriff’s Office investigation concluded Green was assaulted, had been threatened with an illegally owned firearm, and acted in self-defense. Statements from two children, ages 11 and 12, and other witness, video, text message and forensic evidence were compiled into a report sent to the Pitt County District Attorney’s Office. The DA reviewed the materials and declined to file charges, finding Green immune from criminal liability under state law.

Family and friends of Hardy have disputed the outcome, held a press conference at the Greenville courthouse and asked the U.S. Justice Department to investigate. Does anyone have additional information or eyewitness details from that night that could shed light on what happened?