A dispute between neighbors last Friday over 4-wheelers riding on Chestuee Road resulted in the shooting death of Steven Gargala and the arrest of Clayton Neal Pike, Jr. Pike has been charged with first degree murder.

According to the police report, Sheriff’s Deputies Matt Price and Josh Stroud responded to a call about a shooting on Chestuee Rd. Upon arrival, they found a Ford Explorer in the roadway and a two-seat all terrain vehicle on its top in a ditch. According to the report, a witness allegedly identified Pike as the shooter. Pike was at the scene, sitting in the ditch a few feet away from the victim. He was arrested and taken into police custody.

According to the arrest report, the altercation allegedly arose from an ongoing situation with Gargala riding a 4-wheeler on the road in front of Pike’s house. Pike was reportedly angry about the 4-wheelers and blocked the road after Gargala passed his house, stopping him from returning. During the argument, Pike allegedly displayed a revolver; according to the arrest report, Gargala had a gun as well. Gargala reportedly attempted to defend himself by hitting Pike, causing Pike’s gun to hit him in the face and then attempted to flee the scene on his 4-wheeler. Pike then allegedly fired two shots, one of them fatally striking Gargala in the back.

Witnesses allegedly told police that after the shooting Pike left the scene and returned unarmed. According to the report, Deputy Price went to Pike’s residence with Pike’s daughter and was able to recover the weapon, a .357 Magnum, under Pike’s mattress in the bedroom of his mobile home.