Driver shot in neck at Love’s Truck Stop, suspect escapes in another vehicle

NEWTON, N.C. — Newton Police are investigating a violent kidnapping attempt and shooting that happened Monday afternoon at the Love’s Travel Stop on Southfork Drive.

Officers were called around 1:15 p.m. for reports of a possible kidnapping and shooting.

When police arrived, they found a vehicle that had crashed into a utility pole.

Inside was a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and an infant who appeared unharmed.

Officers began life‑saving efforts before the man was taken to Catawba Valley Medical Center, then airlifted to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Investigators say the victim, Ronald David Rumley Jr, 27 of Marion, had come to the area to meet someone. When he arrived, an armed gunman got into the backseat and pointed a gun at him.

A second gunman tried to pull a passenger from the vehicle. The victim sped off, causing the passenger to be thrown from the car.

A two-month old infant and a Marion woman inside the car were also taken to the hospital. The woman had non‑life‑threatening injuries. The child was not injured. They have been released from the hospital.

Jontavius Javez Littlejohn, 27, of Lincolnton, was charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault inflicting serious bodily injury, possession of firearm by felon, and assault with a deadly weapon minor present.

He was arrested in Orangeburg County and is awaiting extradition back to Catawba County.

In a Tuesday update, police did not release information on a second suspect.

‘Terrifying’

Lindsey Punch, who lives across the street from the truck stop, described the scene after the shooting.

“Terrifying living so close by. The lady got out of the car. She was screaming. She got on her knees, so I ran over to see what was going on. So I held her two-month-old baby,” Punch said.

A witness also reported hearing the mother screaming, “My baby...my baby” before the shooting.

Customers at the truck stop reacted to the incident. Jeremiah Elder, who had just exited the store with his family after the shooting, commented on the danger. “That’s really scary...that’s really scary,” Elder said.

Esneralda Rios, another customer, expressed concerns about public safety.

Rios stated, “Really dangerous. No lives should be taken just because of somebody’s recklessness and selflessness.”

Police said, “The suspect vehicle description was withheld from the initial press release due to the investigation integrity and not wanting to lose the vehicle and possible suspect identity since there was no ongoing danger or threat to the public.”

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator C. Davis at 828‑465‑7430 or cdavis@newtonnc.gov.

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