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Arrest made in rest stop shooting that left father of 4 paralyzed

By Jenna Deery
By Jenna Deery

GASTONIA, N.C. — The Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office posted on its Facebook page Wednesday morning that they have arrested a man in the Interstate 85 rest stop shooting that left a father of four partially paralyzed.

Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office said Darren Tyron Manuel, 26, of Charlotte was arrested and charged with attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.

He is accused of trying to rob Greg McKee as he washed his hands in a restroom Saturday night. McKee was paralyzed from the waist down after being shot in the back.

Manuel was arrested Tuesday night at his home in Charlotte. He is in the Cabarrus County jail with a $2 million secured bond. He is also awaiting service of a parole violation.

"I was just elated, relieved that he's not going to go out and do this in the foreseeable future to someone else," said Greg McKee's wife Terrie McKee.

Even investigators were stunned by the swift justice. Sheriff Brad Riley told Channel 9 that tips came pouring in after a photo taken from surveillance video was released.

"The story around this entire incident got people involved, got them engaged, wanting to help," Riley said.

Terrie McKee said her family's story has been forever altered by the shooting. They are praying for the day Greg McKee walks again. She said that's while Greg McKee prays for Darren Manuel and his destiny.

"He said, 'If I could sit down in front of this guy and say anything, I would want to lead him to Christ,'" Terrie McKee said.

Church rallies around family of father paralyzed after rest stop shooting

A church in Gastonia is rallying around one of its members after a trip home from Thanksgiving changed his life forever.

Investigators said Greg McKee was shot by two unknown suspects at a rest stop off Interstate 85 in Cabarrus County Saturday night.

McKee, who is the sole provider for his wife and their four children is now partially paralyzed.

RELATED: Father of 4 paralyzed in I-85 rest area shooting

The family attends Flint Groves Baptist Church and the congregation is determined to help the family find their new normal.

“As you can imagine something like this is just going to change their whole world,” Pastor Ronnie Bowers said.

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Bowers said the family joined Flint Groves four years ago and both Greg and his wife Terrie are very active within the church.

The Senior Pastor said he went to visit Greg in the hospital.

“He said I don’t understand it but at the same time I’m not going to let it control the rest of my life,” Pastor Bowers said.

The church is now raising money for the family and putting plans in place to renovate their home.

“We want to make it wheelchair accessible,” said Pastor Bowers.  “We’re going to build a ramp.  I’ve also had contractors or different groups reach out to me and volunteer to do the bathroom or volunteer to the doorways.”

The Sheriff’s office has not yet confirmed a motive in the shooting.  Investigators did release a surveillance picture that captured a man they’re calling a person of interest in the case.  They’re hoping someone is able to identify the man.

The office said Wednesday on Facebook that they arrested a person of interest in the case.

During a phone interview Greg’s wife called on the suspects to turn themselves in to authorities.

Pastor Bowers said the family’s outlook and strength inspires them.

“They’re a family of deep faith,” said Pastor Bowers.

If you would like to contact the church call (704) 865-4068.

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