Court Appearances Scheduled Today For Thursday Morning Incident In Catawba County

Four suspects allegedly involved in an incident where a shot was fired on officers will appear in Catawba County Court Today.

In the early morning hours of Thursday, April 17th, Newton Police responded to reports of suspicious persons in the area of South Ervin Avenue. The caller said three or four people exited a silver Nissan Altima and were walking in the area, wearing backpacks, dressed in all black clothing, and wearing face masks.

A short time later, a Catawba County Deputy spotted a vehicle with multiple occupants in the area of East “P” Street in Newton that matched the caller’s description. Additional Officers arrived at the intersection of East “P” Street and St. James Church Road where the vehicle was stopped.

18-year-old Xavier Jahree Wyatt of Catawba, 26-year-old Robert Djan Nelson, Jr. of Hickory, 22-year-old Kenyan Malik Jackson of Newton, and 26-year-old Tevyn Nathaniel Hamlin of Hickory have all been charged.

Wyatt is being held without bond after being arrested by US Marshalls. He is reported to have fired a shot at Catawba County Deputies.

The invstigation is ongoing.