Rowan County deputies charge son with voluntary manslaughter in 2025 father-son shooting

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office filed a voluntary manslaughter charge against a Salisbury man after a months-long investigation into a July 2025 shooting between a father and son that left one man dead.

Deputies said the shooting occurred July 15, 2025, in the 2600 block of West Innes Street near Catawba College. Officers responded to reports of a vehicle crash followed by gunfire.

Investigators determined the incident involved a father and son traveling in separate vehicles when a collision occurred in the roadway. Evidence shows the crash led to an exchange of gunfire between the two men.

Deputies found 53-year-old Tracy Richard Kinser with a gunshot wound to the head in a wooded area near the road. First responders transported him to Baptist hospital, where he later died.

According to investigators, video footage shows both men traveling from Salisbury to the scene and captures a verbal confrontation. Tire marks and scene evidence show the son stopped his vehicle in front of his father’s truck, which led to a collision.

Authorities said both men fired weapons during the encounter.

The son, 30-year-old Trace Michael Kinser, remained at the scene and deputies detained him. After coordination between the Sheriff’s Office, State Highway Patrol, and the Rowan County District Attorney’s Office, investigators secured a warrant.

Trace Michael Kinser was arrested Feb. 4 and charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with his father’s death.