HICKORY, N.C. — A man wanted in connection to the murder of a Lenoir-Rhyne University football player has been captured, according to authorities.
The Hickory Police Department confirmed Quavius Shamond Izard, 21, was found hiding on a property in Collettsville by the owner on Wednesday, Nov. 24.
Izard, one of two suspects identified in this case, was taken into custody and served a warrant for first-degree murder in the death of Omari Drovon Alexander, 19, from Saturday, Nov. 20. Police say the property owner found the suspect and contacted the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office. Izard will be held in the Catawba County Jail with no bond, according to a Hickory Police Department spokesperson.
Izard is expected in court on Monday, Nov. 29, in Catawba County.
Alexander was a football player at Lenoir-Rhyne University and was killed in a shooting early Saturday morning in Hickory, police said.
Officers responded to a shots fired call along 17th Avenue NE near Good Shepard Church in Hickory just before 1 a.m. Saturday.
Alexander was found in the driver's seat of a black 2015 Chevrolet Camaro with the engine running, police said. Police said he had with multiple gunshot wounds.
Paramedics pronounced Alexander dead at the scene.
Lenoir-Rhyne said Alexander was a sophomore from Concord, NC and a member of the university's football team.
”Omari was a special young man who had a bright future. He will always be remembered fondly by his teammates and the LR community,” Kim Pate, vice president for athletics for Lenoir-Rhyne, said in a statement.
Alexander was also a graduate of Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, according to Lenoir-Rhyne.
The second suspect, Hailee Maureen Melanson, 20-years-old was arrested and charged with felony accessory after the fact in connection to the crime. Melanson is being held without bond in the Catawba County Jail and will appear in court Tuesday, Nov. 23 for a first appearance hearing.
Anyone with information regarding this ongoing investigation is encouraged to call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551 or contact Investigator David Moore directly at 828-261-2686 or dfmoore@hickorync.gov.
Note: WCNC instituted a new policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
WCNC Charlotte is choosing to show the mugshots of the suspects in this case because the suspect is considered armed and dangerous.