Local

Family seeking answers 3 years after son's death

STATESVILLE, N.C. — A renewed focus has been put on the investigation into the death of a young father in Statesville two and a half years after he was gunned down at an apartment complex.

Sunday would have been Joey Brewer's 33rd birthday. He was shot inside his car after visiting friends at the Myrtle Place Apartments in Statesville in 2011. Authorities are teaming up to try and solve his murder.

Investigators with the Iredell County Sheriff's Office said this is the closest his office and the Statesville Police Department have worked together in more than a decade.

Brewer's family said the greatest gift on his birthday would be an arrest.

"He was born at 5:40 in the morning and it seems like it was just yesterday," said mother Robin Brewer. "We pray every day for their soul as well as for the law enforcement."

A gift the family received is more hands on deck for the investigation. The Sheriff's Office joined with the police to solve the case.

"The more years of knowledge you can put in with different investigators is a great thing," said Maj. Darren Campbell with the Sheriff's Office.

Police Chief Tom Anderson said with this new partnership, interviews will be redone and tips looked into more thoroughly.

"Now we are pairing investigators and we are taking everything from a fresh perspective," Anderson said.

The family hopes their prayer reaches heaven and those who can bring them closure.

Anyone with information can now call police or the Sheriff's Office. The family is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Brewer's death.