LAWRENCE COUNTY — A Mooresville man is facing a lengthy list of felony charges after an ex-girlfriend came forward to law enforcement with harrowing details of sustained domestic violence, including an incident where she was allegedly held at gunpoint with an assault rifle, choked, and beaten with the stock of the firearm.
An arrest warrant has been requested for Dylan Scott, 23, of Mooresville. Following a comprehensive investigation by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, Scott faces preliminary charges of:
- Domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury
- Confinement
- Strangulation
- Intimidation
- Criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon
- Pointing a firearm
- Interference with the reporting of a crime
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Officer Kaden Flynn, the investigation began on May 11, 2026, when the female victim walked into the sheriff’s station to report a battery.
Officer Flynn noted in his report that he immediately observed heavy, visible bruising across multiple areas of the woman’s body. The woman detailed an ongoing history of domestic violence involving Scott and stated that her three young children—including an infant—had been nearby or present during multiple physical altercations.
The woman told investigators that the first severe escalation occurred on May 5, 2026, after she returned home from a concert with a female friend. Scott allegedly accused her of having a sexual relationship with the friend, sparking a verbal dispute that quickly turned physical.
According to the affidavit, when the woman later attempted to enter Scott’s room to de-escalate the argument and apologize, she was met with a loaded, assault-style rifle pointed directly at her. She stated that Scott turned on a tactical flashlight mounted to the rifle, blinding her eyes, and threatened to kill her if she took another step.
The situation turned physically brutal when Scott allegedly kicked her in the stomach, sending her crashing onto a dog gate on the floor. While she was down, Scott reportedly placed his foot heavily onto her neck, completely cutting off her ability to breathe. She told police she tried to gasp out instructions for her oldest daughter to call 911, but was physically choked out by Scott’s foot.
The affidavit further details that Scott then allegedly reversed the rifle and used the heavy stock of the firearm to strike her in the face approximately five times. When she tried to escape the room, Scott blocked the doorway, trapping her inside, and confiscated her cell phone to prevent emergency services from being called. The woman noted that she was vomiting blood following the attack.
While two of her children were in an adjacent room, the woman’s oldest daughter reportedly witnessed the assault firsthand. Lawrence County Sergeant C. James later spoke with the daughter to gather a supplementary witness statement.
The woman reported a second physical assault just days later, on May 9, 2026. She stated that while she, Scott, and her three children were traveling inside a vehicle on State Road 446, a verbal argument erupted over pretzels and marijuana.
When the woman attempted to throw a bag out of the vehicle window, Scott allegedly struck her across the left side of her face three times with a closed fist.
To corroborate her report, the woman provided authorities with timestamped photographs taken closer to the actual dates of the altercations. Officer Flynn noted that the progression of the bruising and injuries completely aligned with the timeline and mechanics of the abuse she described. The woman also completed a Domestic Violence Lethality Assessment and signed a formal battery affidavit.
On May 12, 2026, Officer Flynn contacted Scott by phone. Scott was initially cooperative, as he had called to follow up on an unrelated theft report he had filed the day prior. However, when questioned about the domestic violence allegations, Scott denied any physical contact.
Scott acknowledged the May 5 argument, claiming it was sparked by an inappropriate social media post the woman made, but called the allegations involving an assault rifle “crazy.” When asked to explain the severe bruising documented on the woman’s body, Scott attempted to deflect blame, telling the officer he believed the injuries may have been caused by the woman’s husband.
Scott also acknowledged the May 9 in-vehicle argument on State Road 446, claiming the woman had thrown a bag of chips at him and nearly caused him to crash. He denied striking her, noting that the date of the car ride marked the final day of their romantic relationship.
Investigators noted a key flaw in Scott’s timeline: while Scott claimed he had not seen any injuries or bruising on the woman before their final breakup on May 9, the timestamped photographs provided by the victim proved she had already sustained matching, severe injuries as early as May 5.
Following the interview, Officer Flynn submitted the formal affidavit under penalties of perjury, requesting an immediate arrest warrant. All body-worn camera footage and photographic evidence have been formally attached to the state’s case file. Scott was detained on June 5th.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
