Graham Man Charged with Murder After Fatally Shooting Stepson During Family Dispute

GRAHAM, N.C. – A tragic family conflict has left 34-year-old Thomas Jeffries Jr. dead and his stepfather, 59-year-old James Thomas Daye, facing murder charges after a domestic dispute turned deadly Wednesday night inside the home they shared in Graham.

Police say the incident unfolded inside the residence on 400 Poplar Street, where both men lived. According to investigators, a heated argument between Daye and Jeffries escalated to violence when Daye allegedly retrieved a firearm and shot Jeffries in the stomach.

Responding officers and emergency crews quickly arrived at the residence. Jeffries was transported to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries. Daye, who remained at the scene, was taken into custody without further incident.

Authorities confirmed that Daye has been charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a charge stemming from his prior criminal history that legally prohibited him from owning or carrying a gun.

Neighbors described the family as generally quiet, though some reported that tension between the men was not new. “It’s heartbreaking,” one resident said. “You never think something like this will happen so close to home, especially within a family.”

Police emphasized that the shooting was domestic in nature and that there is no ongoing threat to the wider Graham community. “This was an isolated incident,” officials said in a press release, underscoring that the public is not in danger.

The loss of Jeffries has devastated relatives and friends, many of whom are struggling to make sense of the tragedy. “It’s just unimaginable,” one family acquaintance shared. “You don’t expect to lose someone this way, especially in their own home and at the hands of someone they loved and trusted.”

Daye is being held at the Alamance County Detention Center without bond as the investigation continues. His next court appearance is expected in the coming weeks.

The City of Graham Police Department is asking anyone with additional information to contact them at (336) 570-6711 as detectives continue to gather evidence in the case.

For now, the community mourns the death of Thomas Jeffries Jr., a young man whose life was cut short by violence within the walls of his own home, and reflects on the devastating consequences of disputes that spiral out of control.