By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man charged in the New Year’s Eve murder of Altereck Rashad Shields said he was “jumped on” before the stabbing incident that occurred at a Cleveland home, according to warrants.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Jermail Blake, 37, with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Shields, a 36-year-old father.

Rowan County investigators arrested Blake after responding at 4:58 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2016, to 180 Apex Lane, the home of Anthony Angle, for what was reported as an assault. Shields was found already dead, lying outside in the backyard in a T-shirt. Detectives noted a layer of frost had settled on top of Shields and a dark-colored coat that was beside the body.

The warrant, which was filed Wednesday, said there were signs of an altercation at the home — the back door was damaged and several broken pieces from the door were outside on the back deck of the home. Investigators found Blake inside the home on the floor with numerous facial injuries that indicated he was punched in the face. Blake was awake and responsive.

He told investigators he was jumped on, but officials noted he was very vague with his answers when they asked who jumped him. An investigator asked Blake where the incident happened and he pointed to the floor where he was lying.

Detectives spoke with the homeowner, Anthony Angle, who also said very little about the incident. When asked what happened, Angle told detectives, “You can see for yourself.”

He did not tell investigators what occurred, only that, “It happened” and he attempted to keep everybody outside and “he” came inside. He told investigators he didn’t know what happened.

The warrants show there were blood stains on the kitchen floor and blood stains on the deck of the house that led into the back door.

The warrant said a silver kitchen knife was lying on the ground beside Shields. The T-shirt he was wearing exposed a stab wound to the chest.

Investigators searched the home and found a broken cell phone on the back deck and three more cell phones in Angle’s bedroom. Detectives also noted there were security cameras around the residence.

Blake remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $250,000 secured bond.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up for Altereck Shields.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.