Alex men arrested, suspects in double murder
Updated Feb. 23, 2021, 2:39 p.m.
Two Alexander County men have been arrested, as authorities believe the men killed two men and injured a third person over the weekend.
On February 18, 2021, at 11:45 p.m., the Gaston County Police 911 Center received a report of a shooting at Lowery Wood Road and Lewis Farm Road. Upon arrival, officers found two deceased men, Robert Lucas (Luke) Gibby, age 22, and Adam Kale Wood, age 19, near the intersection, according to a press release from the department.
Approximately two hours later, another male, Todd Payton Lee Waggoner, 21 years old, entered Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem with non-life threatening injuries. Waggoner is reported to have been at the scene earlier in the night.
Through the investigative process, three suspects have been identified. Warrants have been obtained and served for two counts of First Degree Murder and one count of Attempted First Degree Murder on the following two adult suspects:
• Michael Shane Barnes, age 19, of Callie Lane, Taylorsville;
• Kaleb Isiah Carver, age 21 of Steve Watts Drive, Taylorsville.
Both suspects are currently incarcerated in the Gaston County Jail, on a hold pending a first appearance in Gaston County District Court.
The third suspect is a juvenile. They have been charged on juvenile petitions and arrested for 2 counts of first degree murder and 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder. The juvenile’s information cannot be released at this time.
The Gaston County Police wish to thank the public and law enforcement partners for their help in this investigation. The following agencies assisted during the investigation: North Carolina SBI, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Bessemer City Police Department, Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Wilkesboro City Police Department, and Gaston County Sheriff’s Office.
On February 22, 2021, around 12:22 am, Wilkesboro Police Dept. assisted Alexander County Sheriff’s deputies in locating Barnes. Officers located Mr. Barnes at the Quality Inn at 1206 River Street and he was taken into custody without incident in the parking lot. Barnes was accompanied by a juvenile female.
The Gaston County Police ask anyone with information about this investigation to contact Gaston County Police Detective J. Brienza at 704-866-3320. Information can also be provided through Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000.
This is an on-going investigation.
