Hammer Assault Leads to Arrest

According to Sheriff Darren Campbell, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported assault at a residence in the 1200 block of Old Mountain Road on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

When deputies arrived, they found a male victim with severe injuries to his head and face. Investigators determined the victim had been struck multiple times with a hammer by a suspect known to him. After the assault, the suspect stole the victim’s vehicle and fled the scene. Iredell County EMS transported the victim to a trauma center in Mecklenburg County for emergency treatment.

Detectives and crime scene investigators responded to begin an investigation, interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence. The victim told deputies the suspect, identified as Anthony Brown, had been living with him for a short time. During an argument, Brown allegedly assaulted the victim with a hammer, forced him to open a safe, and stole cash along with the keys to the victim’s car.

Deputies immediately issued alerts to surrounding agencies and entered the stolen vehicle into a national database. Further investigation indicated Brown may have fled to the Charlotte area.

Working with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, deputies located Brown in Charlotte still in possession of the stolen vehicle. He was taken into custody and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center.

Anthony Brown is charged with felony attempted first-degree murder, felony robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony second-degree kidnapping, felony larceny of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor communicating threats, and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. He is being held without bond under an order issued by Magistrate T. Thompson.