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Police arrest third suspect in fatal Mount Holly shooting

MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. — Mount Holly Police said they have arrested a third suspect in the first murder in Mount Holly in 18 months.

Authorities announced Tuesday morning that they had arrested 26-year-old Raymond Murphy in Gastonia and charged him with first-degree murder in the death of Isaac Lorenzo.

A day earlier, police arrested Breonia Monique McLean, 24, from Stanley. She was also charged with first-degree murder and was being held in the Gaston County jail with no bond.

The first suspect arrested in the case, 23-year-old Kayla Rankin, faced a judge Monday.

Police charged Rankin with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Lorenzo.

Rankin, Murphy, McLean

(Rankin, Murphy

and

McLean)

Officers found Lorenzo on Sunday morning outside an apartment on Louise Avenue with what officials initially thought was a stab wound to the chest. Upon further examination, authorities said Lorenzo had been shot in the chest.

Police said he was taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, where he was pronounced dead.

In court Monday, the prosecutor said Rankin got angry with Lorenzo and reportedly rode to his house.

“She was in the downstairs portion of the house holding the victim’s roommate with a firearm,” prosecutor Stephanie Hamlin said.

Rankin told the judge she cooperated with police and expected leniency.

“The detectives were supposed to meet with the DA which gave my side of the story which should have at least gave me some type of bond,” Rankin said.

The judge didn’t change her bond. Police haven’t said why they believe Lorenzo was targeted.

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