Man killed in Charlotte is son of county judge, accidentally shot by father after struggle with gun

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – We’re learning more about the shooting death of a man in Charlotte yesterday, and the more we learn, the more tragic it becomes.

The young man’s name is Dante Edwards-Morrison. He was 30 years old.

He is the son of Monroe County Court Judge Caroline Morrison. She told us he was accidentally shot by his father as they struggled over a gun.

Judge Morrison says her son was distraught over a longstanding dispute with the mother of his children. She says they called 911 Monday morning but said the police didn’t show. And so when Edwards-Morrison went to the home on Harding Road, she sent his father after him.

There are conflicting stories over who was threatening whom on Harding Road.

In its release today, Rochester Police say Edwards-Morrison was “threatening to hurt his children’s mother” near her rental home on Harding Road.

Capt. Frank Umbrino, head of RPD’s Major Crimes Unit, wrote, “An argument ensued, followed by a physical confrontation that escalated.”

The family says Edwards-Morrison was upset, but was threatened by a man and dog who live at the home.

At some point, Edwards-Morrison and his father got into a struggle over a gun inside a white van parked on the side of the road. A neighbor told me he watched it happen and then heard one single gun shot. The bullet struck Edwards-Morrison and he died on Harding Road.

“It is a very difficult situation,” Judge Morrison told me. “It was a father trying to protect his son.”

Judge Morrison says the shooting was “accidental.”

News10NBC spoke to several neighbors Monday night and again today. 

“It’s a quiet neighborhood,” said neighbor Erich Werner. “There’s usually not a lot of crime or violence that takes place here. But it goes to show you that this type of thing can happen anywhere.”

RPD did not arrest anyone.

“At this time, charges have not been filed against the individual originally detained at the scene and this is an ongoing investigation,” wrote Umbrino. “The results of the investigation will be presented to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. There are currently no additional people being sought in regards to this shooting.”