Neighbor Dispute Turns Deadly in Elberta; Man Charged with Murder

Elberta, AL (BuzzReport) — A pre-dawn argument between neighbors escalated into deadly gunfire Friday morning, leaving one man dead and another facing a murder charge in Baldwin County.

According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded just after 3:30 a.m. to Sandy Creek Drive, located between Elberta and Foley, following reports of a shooting stemming from a neighborhood dispute.

Investigators say an argument between 45-year-old Paul David Maxwell and his neighbor across the street, 40-year-old Charles Lee Douglas II, ended in gunfire. Authorities allege Maxwell shot Douglas multiple times. Douglas’ wife and son were inside the home at the time of the shooting but were not physically injured.

Officials with the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office stated that Douglas appeared to have been unarmed at the time he was shot.

Sheriff’s investigators report that Maxwell admitted to firing the shots. He was taken into custody and later appeared before a judge for a bond hearing, where he was formally charged with murder.

Bond was set at $200,000 with strict conditions. If released, Maxwell will be required to wear an ankle monitor, surrender any firearms, have no contact with Douglas’ family, and relocate from his residence pending further court proceedings.

Authorities have not disclosed the specific cause of the argument or a clear motive behind the shooting. The murder charge carries a potential sentence of 20 years to life in prison if convicted.

The investigation remains ongoing.