KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. — One person was killed during an armed robbery of a Loomis Fargo armored truck in Kings Mountain on Wednesday, police confirmed.
The incident occurred a few minutes before 9 a.m. at a pharmacy along East King Street, also known as U.S. 74 Business Route, in Kings Mountain. Chief Gerald Childress confirmed the victim was shot multiple times and died at the scene. The case is being investigated as an armed robbery homicide.
"He was attempting to service the ATM when this incident took place," Childress said.
Childress confirmed the victim was armed and his weapon was recovered at the scene. He said it's too early in the investigation to determine if any money was taken after the shooting.
Childress didn't provide any further details about the incident and declined to say if the weapon was still holstered or if there was a struggle. The victim was later identified in a press release as Richard Walter Henderson IV of Charlotte. He was 29 years old.
So far, no arrests have been made. Childress said investigators don't believe the suspect is still in the Kings Mountain area after speaking to multiple witnesses.
"We will locate you, we will find you," Childress said. "It may take some time, but we will find you and bring you to justice."
The FBI has been contacted to assist with the investigation due to the circumstances of the case. The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office is assisting the city police department.
Later in the day Wednesday, KMPD shared surveillance photos of the suspect's car. The photos show it to be a newer-model black Jeep Compass Freedom Edition with a distinctive star decal on the hood. The car also appeared to have temporary paper tags.
Anyone with information is asked to call Kings Mountain Police at 704-734-0444.
In the last six months, law enforcement across the greater Charlotte-area has investigated numerous incidents involving the robbery of armored trucks.
In August, the driver of a truck was shot during an armed robbery in Statesville, according to authorities.
In July, another driver was kidnapped when two robbers stole $275,000 from a truck in Charlotte, according to a police report.
In June, two people tried to rob an armored truck in Rowan County, law enforcement said at the time.
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