Friends remember Burlington man shot, killed in Kernersville Food Lion

KERNERSVILLE, N.C. (WGHP) — Kernersville police still haven’t said what they think led up to a shooting at a Food Lion on Union Cross Road on Wednesday morning.

Investigators say Marco Antonio Vargas Arellano, 40, of Burlington, was found shot inside that store. Dillon Kiger, 38, of Kernersville, was arrested and is facing a murder charge.

Arellano’s brother told FOX8 that Arellano was a bright light. His friend said the same and described him as an upbeat and kind-hearted man who will be missed by many.

“I can’t wrap my mind around why someone would want to … hurt him … If you knew him, he wouldn’t kill a fly. He wouldn’t. He would actually pick the fly up and take it outside to release it,” said Stephanie Crawford, Arellano’s friend.

He was a husband and a father of four children. He had three sons and one daughter.

Crawford first met Arellano nearly 20 years ago when she was working at Impact Fulfillment Services in Burlington.

Crawford was shocked to learn of his death. She hopes the investigation will lead to answers for those close to him.

“They deserve to know why you took their husband … father … brother … uncle … best friend,” Crawford said.

Crawford said he was an uplifting person.

“If you’re having a bad day, you’re not going to have a bad day around him. He would do … everything to make you feel better. He could come in and just say, ‘Hola, Stephanie’ and just have the biggest smile,” Crawford said.

Utz Brands released a statement regarding his death. They said he was a friend and business partner.

Marco was working for one of our Burlington, NC area independent operator business partners when he was subject to this violent act. We extend our deepest condolences to Marco’s family and friends. It is impossible to make sense of this tragedy, and we will be providing both our business partners and Utz associates with full support during this difficult time.

Utz Brands

Kiger is currently being held at the Forsyth County Detention Center under no bond. Kernersville police said this incident was isolated.

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