1 dead, 1 hurt after car shot into in Hickory, police say

HICKORY, N.C. — One person is dead and another is injured after someone shot into a car with a father and son inside early Saturday in Hickory, according to Hickory Police.

Officers said they responded to Highland Avenue just before 3 a.m. after receiving a call from a person who saw a vehicle had driven off the roadway.

Authorities found the driver the car and the passenger had gunshot wounds. The passenger, Khalil Rhynhart, 20, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The driver, Eric Rhynhart, 42, was transported to a hospital and is in stable condition.

From the initial investigation, police said Eric Rhynhart and his son Khalil Rhynhart were shot while traveling north on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast. Multiple rounds went into their vehicle before it crashed.

Family members and friends said Khalil Rhynhart was about to become a father.

Destiny said that she can’t believe her boyfriend is gone. The two were expecting a baby boy over the holidays.

“I screamed,” Destiny told Channel 9. “I’ve been so broken. He’s not supposed to be gone.”

Family members said Khalil Rhynhart and his father went to eat and were on their way home when the shooting happened.

“I want to know why you went after my nephew and brother,” said James Turner, family member. “They were doing nothing wrong. They were leaving the Waffle House minding their own business. Whoever did this is kind of coward.”

Police are looking at whether a second shooting eight hours later along Third Avenue Southeast is connected. Two cars were shot into, but no one was hurt.

The investigation is ongoing and it is unclear how many suspects are involved. Detectives are working to learn of a motive.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation is ask to call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551.

Check back here as more updates come in.

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