Hickory Police Searching For Murder Suspect

Hickory Police are investigating a homicide that occurred at 325 Hwy 70 SW.

At approximately 6:41 p.m. on July 4, Hickory Police Officers responded to the report of an unresponsive female inside of a room at the Deluxe Inn. The victim, Mary Elizabeth Ervin, 30, of Hickory, was found deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

Investigators identified James David Houser, age 30, as the suspect involved in the homicide. Police obtained a murder warrant for Houser and are currently searching for him. If you have information about the whereabouts of Houser, please contact 911 or the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551.

This investigation is ongoing.