One Arrested, One Sought In Hickory Shooting

25-year-old Kaleef Hassan Carpenter of Jennifer Lane in Claremont has been arrested by Hickory Police and charged with possession of firearm by a felon in connection with a shooting in S.W. Hickory on Tuesday. Police are also searching for 20-year-old Jonathon Jahiem White in connection with the same incident. He is wanted for discharging a firearm in the city limits.

At about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, a call came in from a female who said she heard gunshots near Camden Meadow Apartments on 1st Street S.W. While Officers were en-route, a 9-1-1 call came in from a second caller who stated that a male had been shot. Upon arrival, Officers found a 17-year-old male in an apartment, suffering from a single gunshot wound. Catawba County E.M.S. responded and treated the 17-year-old, who was then airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

During the investigation, Officers learned that two groups of males, including the injured 17-year-old, had been shooting at each other. Another 17-year-old male has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and breaking & entering. That suspect is currently on probation on a weapons charge in connection with a shooting in Mecklenburg County. A third 17-year-old male has been charged with breaking & entering. Their identities and the identity of the injured person have not been released.

Kaleef Hassan Carpenter is currently on probation for two previous convictions in 2022 on counts of possession of firearm by a felon. Carpenter was placed in the Catawba County Detention Facility where he is being held without bond. A District Court appearance was scheduled for May 10 in Newton.

The investigation is ongoing. 

Story: Ralph Mangum-WHKY