May 24--GRAHAM -- A 57-year-old man was charged Wednesday morning with killing his son after police say they spent the night together drinking and playing cards.
Graham Police were called to 118 Amy Drive, which is in a mobile home park off Monroe Holt Road, at about 2:58 a.m. The initial call was for Alamance County Emergency Medical Services concerning a possible cardiac arrest, said Graham Police Capt. Steve McGilvray.
Shortly after, Alamance County Central Communications received a second 911 call from a neighbor who was called to the residence to help. At that point, police were notified that an incident had occurred at the mobile home beyond a medical emergency.
When police got there, they found 30-year-old Michael David Lee dead in the residence. The owner of the mobile home and Michael Lee's father, Gary Michael "Mike" Lee, 57, also was there along with his girlfriend who had apparently just arrived.
"They had been drinking and playing cards," McGilvray said. "Something happened -- we still don't know what -- that triggered the whole event."
At some point, the father and son had a confrontation, police said.
"The son was ultimately killed by the father," McGilvray said. "He was shot one time in the chest and his throat was slit."
Police said that only Gary Lee, Michael Lee and a dog were in the residence at the time of the killing. Animal control was called to remove the dog while police processed the crime scene.
Gary Lee was charged with first-degree murder.
Graham Police were at the crime scene Wednesday taking photos, gathering evidence and talking to neighbors to try and piece together the details of the crime that McGilvray characterized as "bizarre."
"(Gary Lee) had a good job working with (N.C. Department of Transportation) cutting grass," McGilvray said.
The outside of his home was well cared for with the grass manicured and a landscape of neatly trimmed trees that held bird houses and bird feeders.
"I don't know what triggered this whole event," McGilvray said. "There were only two of them there and now one of them is dead."
The State Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist with the crime scene evidence, and District Attorney Pat Nadolkski also was called to the scene. Since alcohol was allegedly involved, blood was drawn from Gary Lee.
Authorities also are awaiting results of an autopsy by the state Medical Examiner's office in Chapel Hill.
Mary Bailey, who lives across the street from Lee and has known him at least 10 years, didn't hear any gunshots, but there was a thunderstorm early Wednesday and it was raining hard. When she got up Wednesday morning, she saw the yellow crime-scene tape.
"It shook me up so bad," she said.
She said that Lee's son had been staying with him for a few weeks and was shocked to learn that Lee was accused of killing him.
"He took care of his place," she said. "He was very responsible. He took care of his dog."
She said Lee didn't get along with everyone in the neighborhood because sometimes he played his music too loud.
"Mike is not a bad guy," she said. "I just can hardly believe it. ... I really hate that it happened. I really hate that it happened."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Graham Police Department at 336-570-6711 or CrimeStoppers at 336-229-7100.
Copyright 2012 - Times-News, Burlington, N.C.
