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EDEN Murder charges have been dismissed against a man accused of killing his girlfriend's son in a domestic dispute.

The first-degree murder charge against Emmett Jasper "Bo" Kennon Jr., 42, was dismissed Nov. 21, according to court documents.

Kennon was arrested in late October and charged in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Travis Clark of 183 Brightwood Road in Eden.

Travis Clark was the son of Kennon's girlfriend at the time, Lynette Clark.

Rockingham County District Attorney Phil Berger Jr. said Friday that the case proved to be one of self-defense rather than murder.

"We're deeply sorry for the loss that the Clark family suffered," Berger said. "It was a tragic situation."

Deputies were called to the Brightwood Road home about 11 p.m. Oct. 30 about a shooting. A sheriff's office news release described Kennon as being "irate and uncooperative." Travis Clark was found in the house with a gunshot wound.

Lynette Clark and Kennon had been arguing, sheriff's spokesman Dean Venable said in October, and Travis Clark got involved in the altercation.

Berger said information from three witnesses provided evidence that Kennon shot Travis Clark in self-defense.

Berger, citing information that witnesses gave, said Travis Clark put a gun to Kennon's head.

Travis Clark was shot during a struggle for the gun, Berger said.

"The victim in this case heard a verbal exchange between his mother and her intoxicated

boyfriend and decided to take matters into his own hands," Berger said.

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jodavis@news-record.com