Detective: Drug Deal Goes Awry

MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C.,None — What started as a drug transaction, authorities say, ended in gunfire and armed robbery earlier this month.

Three people have now been charged in connection with the holdup that occurred at approximately 3 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7 at the Nebo Car Wash on U.S. 70 East.

On June 10, Detective Lt. Dan Shook of the McDowell County Sheriff's Office charged Catherine Danielle King, 23, of Carbon City Road in Morganton with robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery. She was taken into custody in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

Officers were looking for another suspect, 27-year-old Joshua Eric Kelley of Willow Run Drive in Morganton. He was arrested in Spindale on June 11 for driving while license revoked and carrying a concealed weapon. He is still in custody in Rutherford County, but has been charged locally with robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon.

A final suspect, 28-year-old William David Baynard of Old Ross Road in Forest City, was arrested Monday and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery. He was taken into custody in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

The three suspects, along with two victims, Rex Eversole and Shana McElrath, both of Morganton, agreed to meet at the car wash the morning of the incident to conduct a drug transaction, according to Shook.

Once at the location, Kelley approached Eversole brandishing a handgun and fired several shots, the detective stated. When Eversole ran, Kelley approached McElrath with the gun, ordered her out of the 2010 Hyundai she was driving and stole the automobile, said Shook.

He added that the Hyundai, which had been rented out of Morganton, was found two days later in a wooded area on Morrison Road in Burke County. It was damaged.

WSOC