Suspect In Iredell County Slaying Arrested After Search Through Woods

A suspected killer was taken into police custody Monday afternoon after a two-hour search in Mooresville.

Authorities had warned they believed the man to be armed and dangerous.

Investigators say Orazio Fava, shot and killed 30-year-old James Nichols Jr., whose body was found along an Iredell County road over the weekend. Deputies say Fava ran out of his house and into the woods near the intersection of Bluefield Road and Cornelius Road when they tried to serve a warrant on him Monday morning.

Officers armed with shotguns and rifles set up a perimeter with others scoured the ground with bloodhounds and searched from the air with a helicopter.

SLIDESHOW: Authorities Search For Suspect In Iredell County Slaying RAW VIDEO: Police Search For Suspect In Deadly Iredell County Shooting VIDEO: Police Chief Explains How Suspect Was Found

During the search, seven schools were put on partial lockdown. Iredell County Sheriff's Lt. Darren Campbell said the schools were placed on lockdown "as a precaution."

Iredell-Statesville Schools spokeswoman Dawn Creason said the outer school doors were locked at two high, two middle and three elementary schools, but classes continued inside.

"In case there's any gunfire in the vicinity of any school, we want to make sure we're keeping our kids safe. It's entirely precautionary,” she said.

Fava was found without a gun, crammed into a small closet in an abandoned trailer. Authorities said he gave up without a fight.

Deputies already had three men in custody in connection with the shooting. Eugene Robinson and James Small were arrested late Sunday and John Hermanson was taken into custody early Monday. All three are charged with aiding and abetting murder and are being held without bond.

Father’s Presence Leads To Emotional Confrontation

James Nichols Sr. said he wanted to be there as police searched for Fava, the man accused of killing his son. When the suspect was finally caught, Nichols got the chance to confront the man as he was led away in handcuffs, and emotions erupted.

“Your son tried to kill me, pulled a gun on me,” Fava said.

“He don’t own a gun,” Nichols yelled.

“Yeah right,” Fava replied.

Nichols said he’s all torn up inside and could hardly contain himself.

“I wanted to hit him," he said.

Officers got between the men and no one was hurt.

Mooresville Police Chief John Crone said he was surprised when he walked Fava up to the patrol car.

"I wasn't expecting the victim’s father to be waiting, but I understand his emotions,” he said.

Victim Mourned As Suspects Sit In Jail

Nichols’ family admits they’re still trying to come to terms with his death.

“Feels like my heart’s just been ripped out,” his mother told Eyewitness News through sobs.

His father said he knew something terrible had happened to his son, a father of three, when police showed up at his Mooresville home around 4:30 a.m. Saturday.

“I’m just all upset and tore up,” he said. “I really can’t believe it happened.”

James Nichols Jr.’s wife said he was in a car with four people when a fight broke out, and police say he was shot and his body dumped out along Mazeppa Road and hidden under leaves, just a few miles from his home.

Now many are hurting.

“He was a well-liked boy. He did stay in trouble, but he was well-liked,” his father said.