Prosecutors in a Catawba County courtroom said Friday they believe the five young men accused of firing into a crowded pool party, killing one and injuring 11, are in a gang and have confessed to the shooting, and investigators announced new charges for the suspects in a late afternoon news release
The shooting broke out late Saturday night on Walnut Acres Drive, where authorities said multiple suspects opened fire on a large house party. Investigators said the gunmen positioned themselves on elevated ground in a wooded area and fired down at the crowd. Some partygoers returned fire, which may have prevented further injuries. In total, about 80 shots were fired.
More charges
Ten additional counts of attempted first-degree murder have been filed against each of the following suspects, Toland Huff Jr., Zachary Bates, Izaiah Mitchell and Ke’andre Mack, investigators said.
They were already charged each with one count of attempted first-degree murder.
Those defendants received no bond and remain in the custody of the Catawba County Detention Facility.
Their first appearance will be on Monday.
‘Distraught’
Two of the suspects, Ke’andre Mack and Bates, confessed. Ke’andre Mack described emptying an entire clip into the crowd after helping to plan the shooting. Bates shot into the crowd to be elevated in the gang, prosecutors said.
Ke’andre Mack’s mother spoke with Channel 9 before and after the hearing.
“I am the mother, hurt and distraught,” said suspect Keandre Mack’s mother, Kendra Mack.
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Ke’andre Mack, who prosecutors said has fully confessed in the case, is one of five people facing charges for attempted first-degree murder.
Faherty asked Kendra Mack if her son is a gang member.
“I’ve heard a lot of gang affiliation in Hickory or surrounding areas,” she said. “Not saying that my son wasn’t. Not saying he was, but I’ve heard some things.”
Gang affiliations
Investigators confirmed to Channel 9 that the five suspects accused of firing into the party are all part of a nationally recognized gang but are not releasing the name of that gang yet.
“Gang motives were a part of this tragedy,” said Maj. Aaron Turk, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. “We are still unraveling that as part of our larger investigation.”
Portions of the party were captured on this Snapchat video.
Deputies said at least four people fired into the crowd from a hillside next door. For the victims, it is a night they won’t forget.
“All I saw were bullets flying by my leg,” said a witness. “We just all ran in the house and that’s whenever I had seen the old man dying.”
That man was 58-year-old Shaun Hood who investigators said helped plan the party.
Deputies expect more charges to be filed in this case, possibly when a grand jury meets later this month.
Garron Killion was the first person arrested and charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder.
He was originally given a $200,000 bond but had that revoked Thursday by a judge who said he is a danger to society.
DRONE FOOTAGE: Scene of mass shooting
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