ALLSBORO — A man is in serious condition at a Mississippi hospital after his younger brother shot him Tuesday afternoon during an argument over the handling of their mother’s money, authorities said.

Steve Murphy, 63, 7230 Buddy Durham Road, was shot at least three times and was flown to Northeast Mississippi Regional Medical Center in Tupelo, Miss., Colbert County Sheriff Ronnie May said.

He said Murphy underwent surgery Tuesday afternoon and was in the hospital’s intensive care unit listed in serious condition.

“They say he came through the surgery, but he’s still in pretty bad shape,” May said.

Investigators said Murphy’s brother, Eddie Murphy, 57, who lives just a few houses from where the shooting occurred, is accused of using a .22-caliber handgun to shoot Steve Murphy.

May said Tuesday evening that investigators were still at the scene collecting evidence and determining exactly what happened and why.

“But at this point, it appears they were arguing over money,” May said. “Their mother is in a nursing home, and from what we have been able to determine, Eddie was upset over the way Steve was handling their mother’s money.”

May said no charges were filed Tuesday.

“That decision will be made (today),” he said. “We plan on meeting with the district attorney. We will be talking with him about the case and then a decision as to charges will be made.”

May said the shooting occurred at 1:06 p.m. inside the residence where Steve Murphy lives. The residence is about 2-3 miles south of U.S. 72. He said the brothers apparently had been arguing for some time.

“From what we understand, Steve was at home, and Eddie just showed up and they got into a very heated argument over the money and how Steve was handling it,” May said.

He said investigators said Steve Murphy had a derringer pistol and Eddie Murphy had a .22-caliber pistol.

“From what we can determine at this point, Steve never fired a shot,” May said. “There was another female family member there who tried to stop them and she got a scratch by one of the shots.”

Emergency personnel said the woman declined medical treatment.

“Our investigators have been talking with witnesses and trying to piece all of the details together,” May said.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.