Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook has decided not to file criminal charges against a man investigators say was involved in a July shooting the killed Daniel and William Redman, cousins from Cleveland.

In the explanation for her decision, Cook says the cousins went to a Mountain Road home with three others. Someone from the truck fired on Roy Brooks, whose niece lived next door, and he fired back.

Cook said in a press release that Roy Brooks “was on his own property and protecting himself,” he was also “not the aggressor and did not use excessive force,” the statement said.

The cousins were driven to a home on Hildebrand Road, about five miles away. Investigators said they were already dead.

Investigators said individuals in the truck were inconsistent and untruthful in interviews with law enforcement, the statement said.

The statement said Roy Brooks and his wife Melissa warned the individuals to leave their property several times.

The Rowan District Attorney’s Office also consulted with the Special Prosecutions Unit of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, which supported the self-defense conclusion.

Cook said in her statement that her office had thoroughly reviewed physical evidence, witness accounts and other facts.

“It is tragic anytime there is a loss of life. However, in this investigation, the conduct of Roy Brooks is not inconsistent with the law of self-defense,” she said.

See more in Tuesday’s Post.