Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office • M E D I A R E L E A S E : Date: Monday, January 8, 2024
[Rockingham County, N.C.] – On Sunday, January 7, 2024, at around 7:30 p.m., Rockingham County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 240 Palm Rd. Ruffin, N.C., to a reported gunshot victim.
Upon their arrival, they found Matthew Lee Martin, 37, of that address, suffering from several gunshot wounds. Martin was transported to a local area hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.
Upon further investigation, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Investigators learned that an argument had occurred between Martin and his roommate, KEVIN EUGENE BARTLETT, 45. According to witnesses, during the argument, Martin retrieved a handgun and threatened BARTLETT. BARTLETT then retrieved a different handgun from within the residence and shot Martin multiple times.
At this time, KEVIN EUGENE BARTLETT has been charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He was placed in the Rockingham County Detention Facility under a $15,000 secured bond.
After consultation with the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office, no charges have been filed against BARTLETT at this time for the shooting of Martin, as it has been determined that the act happened in self-defense based on the evidence and eye witness statements.
This is still an ongoing investigation.
[Mugshot of Kevin Eugene Bartlett]
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