INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. — Authorities in Union County say a suspect is in custody after a deadly shooting at a Taco Bell in Indian Trail this week.
Channel 9 reported on the shooting at the Taco Bell on Highway 74 Monday night. The victim was found shot to death inside the restaurant, and deputies were working to identify the suspect.
On Wednesday, the Union County Sheriff’s Office announced that 22-year-old Gilecio Ritchie was arrested and charged with murder in the case.
The victim was identified as 23-year-old Dantreveion Hobbs.
According to the sheriff’s office, Ritchie was arrested Tuesday evening at his home in Indian Trail.
Ritchie is being held in custody without bond, according to the sheriff’s office.
Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey praised his department for arresting Ritchie less than 24 hours after the alleged murder.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of these detectives that work tirelessly, never went home, determined to solve this crime,” Cathey said.
It’s not clear what led to the shooting. The sheriff’s office hasn’t released a motive in the case, but investigators said they believe the attack was targeted.
“He entered the Taco Bell that night, he passed by several other people and specifically sought out and shot and killed Mr. Hobbs. So there’s no question that this was a targeted assault, targeted attack on Mr. Hobbs. As soon as he fired the shots killing Mr. Hobbs, he left the restaurant,” said Lt. James Maye with the UCSO.
Maye says there was a lot of concern from the community after the shooting, and the sheriff’s office took that to heart. This is only the second murder in UCSO’s primary response area this year.
“We take this very personally. We live here, we raise families here, the people that work for this office, and so when someone comes in and they commit a violent crime, it’s personal,” Maye said.
Investigators are still working on the case, and they’re asking the public for any information.
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