CROWN POINT, N.Y. -
Less than 24 hours after being arraigned on an attempted murder charge, David Lang, 70, returned to Crown Point Town Court to face an elevated charge of second-degree murder.
"This afternoon at 12:12 p.m. the victim, Russell Lang, was pronounced deceased at Fletcher Allen Medical Center," N.Y. State Police Capt. Robert LaFountain said.
Police say shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday, David Lang shot his 63-year-old brother in the head in the driveway of their home on Lake Road. Police believe he used a .22 magnum rifle.
"Very broadly speaking, less than 100 feet (away)," LaFountain said.
Police say the shooting occurred during an argument, but did not say what it was about. Investigators believe alcohol was a factor.
"David Lang is the one who called the 911 center and reported he had shot his brother. He was on the phone for several minutes as troopers were responding and was engaged in conversation and made admissions throughout that," LaFountain said.
Forensic investigators spent most of Wednesday collecting evidence on the 90-acre property known as the Old Lang Farm, where the brothers have lived together for several decades.
"I just can't believe this happened," neighbor Tony Macey said. "They were brothers and they would argue, but I can't believe this would happen."
Macey has known the brothers since the 1950s and says they were always together and well-liked in the community.
"I was just over there rototilling their garden," Macey said. "Russell was always going up and down the street, liked to kid around and kind of missed him this morning."
Lang pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and was ordered held without bail because he doesn't have a job and prosecutors say he has issues with alcohol.
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