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Suspect, accomplice charged in Hickory double homicide

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com and Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com and Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com

HICKORY, N.C. — Police say they have arrested the suspected gunman who shot and killed two men Thursday afternoon at an apartment complex in Hickory.

Authorities responded to the shooting at the Ridgecrest Apartments on 12th Avenue Southeast just after 4 p.m. and found the victims.

[IMAGES: Double homicide investigation in Hickory]

Investigators identified the pair as Branique Stephan McKnight, 18, of Conover, and Janaarion Kaverio Knox, 20, of Hickory.

Police announced early Friday morning that they had arrested 19-year-old Daniel Minton of Lenoir after he turned himself in. He will face a judge later Friday.

Officers also arrested 19-year-old Maurice Craig and charged him with two counts of accessory after the fact of murder.

Officers told Channel 9 that the shootings did not appear to be a random act of violence but a motive has not been released.

Anita Jackson, a neighbor, knows what the survivors are going through. She said her son was 16 years old when he was shot and killed outside his home in the same neighborhood in 2005.

“I've been in this situation,” Jackson said. “I know what the family is going through, especially the mothers.”

A neighbor said he heard seven shots and saw a car take off.

“This going on in the neighborhood is not good,” the neighbor said.

The Ridgecrest Apartments is a tight-knit community. People stood outside to watch police investigate the scene.

“I don't like it,” a resident said. "What if was our apartment or what if it was next door and a bullet comes through the wall? I have three kids.”

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551.

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