Authorities are investigating a shooting and possible kidnapping that occurred Monday afternoon at the Love’s Travel Stop in Newton.
According to the Newton Police Department, officers were dispatched at approximately 1:15 p.m. Monday, May 11, to reports of a possible kidnapping and shooting at the truck stop on Southfork Drive.
When officers arrived, they found a vehicle that had crashed into a utility pole. Inside the vehicle, police located a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds along with an infant who appeared to be uninjured.
Emergency crews began life-saving measures at the scene before transporting the injured man to Catawba Valley Medical Center. He was later airlifted to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center for further treatment.
Police said the infant and an adult female involved in the incident were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators say the preliminary investigation indicates the male victim had traveled to the area to meet another individual. After arriving at the travel stop, an armed suspect allegedly entered the back seat of the victim’s vehicle and pointed a gun at him. A second armed suspect then reportedly attempted to pull a female passenger from the vehicle.
Authorities say the victim drove away during the encounter, and the female passenger was ejected from the vehicle. The names of those involved have not been released because of ongoing safety concerns.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY