Son Said Mom Was Killed By Home Intruder. Then He Told Authorities The Truth

A North Carolina man has been sentenced to decades in prison for fatally shooting his mother and attempting to cover up the crime by claiming a home invasion had occurred.

Donald Fink received a sentence of 28 to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder on October 7, according to a statement from the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office.

Authorities said that on June 12, 2023, Kernersville police responded to a report of a possible break-in at a residence and found Fink’s 65-year-old mother, Debra “Debbie” Fink, dead from a gunshot wound to the face. Donald, who was present at the scene, initially told officers that an intruder had entered the home and shot his mother.

Investigators later discovered multiple inconsistencies in Donald’s statements about what happened that day. Several days after the incident, he admitted that the story about a break-in was fabricated. He confessed to kicking in a door to make the scene appear as if an intruder had entered before calling 911. Fink told police that he had been holding the 9mm handgun, found at the scene with an extended magazine, when the fatal shot was fired, claiming the shooting was accidental.

Forensic evidence supported his involvement: Fink’s DNA was found on both the weapon and magazine, and gunshot residue was detected on his hands. Witnesses also reported seeing him with the handgun after the shooting and said that earlier that same day, he had pointed the weapon at another woman. No one was seen entering or leaving the home before the shooting took place.

The firearm used in the killing was registered to Debra, who had reported it stolen three months earlier. At the time of her death, she was recovering from major knee surgery and was unable to stand or walk without assistance. Witnesses told investigators that Debra was afraid of her son, who had previously stolen money from her and threatened to shoot her.

During the sentencing hearing, Debra’s sisters, Terri Norman and Brenda Duhon, addressed the court, expressing relief that justice had been served and the case had reached its conclusion.