IRON STATION, N.C. — An 18-year-old Charlotte man has been taken into custody in connection with the fatal Aug. 23 shooting of a 36-year-old father at Tucker’s Grove Camp Meeting Ground in Iron Station, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Nakiyan Lamar Anderson was arrested on warrants charging him with first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and assault on an individual with a disability following a search assisted by U.S. Marshals.
The shooting occurred during a disturbance at an annual church gathering in Lincoln County. Investigators reported that Anderson targeted Curtis Clayton Baxter III of Winston-Salem in an attempt to steal a watch and diamond necklace Baxter was wearing. Baxter was shot during the robbery and died shortly after being rushed to a local hospital.
During Anderson’s first court appearance, Lincoln County prosecutor Abby Hord stated that the robbery was unprovoked.
“The sheriff’s office believes this to be an unprovoked attack,” Hord said.
According to prosecutors, neighboring security cameras recorded the sound of three gunshots during the gathering. Baxter was struck in the chest and arm but remained conscious and spoke with responding officers before being transported to the hospital. Prosecutor Hord detailed the victim’s statement to investigators.
“Said he had been robbed by a Black male dressed in all black. Said he did not know who that person was,” Hord said.
Deputies patrolling the event reported that Anderson dropped the stolen watch and fled through the crowd, tossing his firearm as he ran. Hord described the movement of the tossed gun during the court proceeding.
“He threw it in almost a Frisbee motion and, in doing so, hit an eyewitness in the knee,” Hord said.
The thrown firearm injured the woman, who has multiple sclerosis.
Surveillance video from a nearby property captured Anderson hiding under a truck, where investigators subsequently recovered the stolen diamond necklace. Anderson evaded authorities for a week before law enforcement located and arrested him with assistance from U.S. Marshals.
During the court hearing, prosecutors noted that Anderson has no adult criminal record but was previously convicted as a juvenile for shooting into an occupied dwelling. Addressing the court regarding Anderson’s custody status, Hord requested that the suspect be held without bail.
“The state would contend that no bond would be sufficient to ensure the safety of the community,” Hord said.
The suspect’s first court appearance took place on the same day as Baxter’s funeral. Members of Baxter’s family were not present in the courtroom for the hearing.
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
