Third Suspect Charged In Connection With 2022 Murder In Hickory

31-year-old Jalen Tremain Crowell of 21st Street SW in Hickory was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in Charlotte on Monday (August 28). He has been charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder in connection to the homicide of Khalil Rhynhart and attempted murder of Eric Rhynhart. Crowell is also charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle.

On November 5, 2022 at shortly before 3 a.m., Hickory Police Officers responded to the 900 Block of Highland Avenue NE after receiving a 911 call from a citizen who was driving on Highland Avenue NE and saw a vehicle that had driven off the roadway. The caller said there were two males inside the vehicle with gunshot wounds. Upon arrival, officers found the driver of a 2021 Kia Forte, 42-year-old Eric Rhynhart and the passenger, his son, 20-year-old Khalil Rhynhart, injured from gunshot wounds.

Catawba County EMS responded and transported Eric Rhynhart to a local hospital for treatment. Khalil Rhynhart was pronounced deceased at the scene. During the initial investigation, it was determined that Eric Rhynhart and Khalil Rhynhart were shot while traveling north in the 500 block of Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard SE by a suspect or suspects that fired multiple rounds into their vehicle.

25-year-old Trevin Ali Brown and 18-year-old Jakeis Zameir Harris, were both previously arrested and charged with murder in connection to this incident. Crowell was jailed in the Catawba County Detention Facility under no bond. A District Court date is today (August 29).

Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY