Fremont Co. man accused of killing brother

A family tragedy is unfolding in the small community of Howard after a man was arrested Sunday, accused of killing his older brother.

Joshua McBride, 32, is facing a second-degree murder charge. Investigators said he got into a fight with his 34-year-old brother Daniel just after midnight Sunday and it turned deadly. It happened at the Holiday Hills Drive home where the brothers live along with Joshua’s girlfriend.

Investigators say that Josh, Josh’s girlfriend, and Dan were all drinking at the home when Dan made hurtful comments towards Josh’s girlfriend, Nicole Marley. According to the arrest affidavit, a physical fight ensued between Dan and Josh and Dan pinned his brother to the ground. This prompted Nicole to jump on Dan’s back. Dan then fought with Nicole, injuring her. Josh also suffered a dislocated shoulder.

Josh went into the bedroom and retrieved a 12-gauge shotgun. According to the arrest affidavit, Josh believed the gun was loaded with bean-bag rounds because he had used it recently to shoo off bears. Josh brandished the weapon as Dan came towards him and told Nicole to call police. Dan challenged Josh and raised his arm in a combative stance according to the affidavit, and Josh fired the weapon, shooting Dan in the stomach.

When Dan fell to his knees, Josh said he thought he had knocked the wind out of Dan and the fight was over. However, he then saw the blood and Dan stopped breathing. Nicole attempted CPR but to no avail.

Josh was arrested for second degree murder after being treated at the hospital for his injured arm. On Monday, Josh was released on a PR bond from the Fremont County Detention Center.

“Josh has always been a real easy-going guy,” said Cecil Borden, who has a summer home across the street. “I’ve never seen him get excited about anything.”

Borden said Joshua had told him that his brother was in the military.

“I think he said he was in either in Irag or Afghanistan and got hurt over there and had some problems,” said Borden.

Investigators said Daniel had recently moved in with his brother. The affidavit says all of the parties appeared intoxicated after the incident.

Detectives are looking into whether self-defense played any role.

According to investigators, it was Joshua’s girlfriend who called authorities after the shooting.

“It’s tragic event, the girlfriend was very emotional and upset and so was the brother, the shooter,” said Pinover.

Some neighbors in Howard were stunned by what happened in their quiet town.

“We never have any excitement at all,” said Borden. “I was really surprised about it.”