Suspect conspired to have shooting victim assassinated, affidavit says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A suspect in custody in a shooting that paralyzed a man conspired to have the victim killed, according to federal investigators.

• Past coverage: Arrest made in rest stop shooting that left father of 4 paralyzed

Darren Manuel was arrested and charged in the shooting of Greg McKee.
 
McKee was shot at a rest stop in Cabarrus County while returning home from Virginia.
 
Authorities announced the arrest of a second suspect, Terrell Thomas, on Friday.
 
He was arrested late Thursday at an apartment in Queens, New York, after investigators said he initially fled the state after prosecutors filed charges.
 
A federal affidavit filed Friday alleged that Manuel was "conspiring with associates to murder the victim."
 
Manuel was arrested on Dec. 1.
 
However, an FBI agent claimed Manuel spoke with his girlfriend on Dec. 3 and instructed her to contact his co-conspirator in this case and tell him that the victim had "to go."
 
Investigators believe "to go" meant be assassinated.
 
Documents also alleged that on the day of his arrest, Manuel asked his mother if law enforcement officials searched his vehicle and instructed her to go to her vehicle and remove a bag containing items from it.
 
It was not immediately clear if he will face additional charges for the alleged conspiracy.
 
Eyewitness News reached out to McKee's wife Friday but she declined comment. Friends said McKee is continuing to recover and working on rehabilitation now.

WSOC