Man arrested following chase interviewed in Rowan Mills shooting

SALISBURY — A 25-year-old man arrested on outstanding felony warrants on Wednesday, Aug. 14, is also a person Salisbury police confirm investigators want to interview about a fatal shooting on Rowan Mills Road that occurred Saturday, Aug. 10.

Kevin Antonio Smith, Jr. led police from several agencies on a multi-county chase Thursday night, starting on West Jake Alexander Boulevard, before jumping out of his car in Charlotte and trying to run. After a short foot chase, police were able to capture Smith and take him into custody.

In the shooting last Saturday, an 80-year-old man was shot and killed and a child was shot and remains in critical condition in the ICU at an area hospital. The previous Thursday shots had also been fired at the same house, but no one was injured. In Saturday’s shooting, at least 16 people were inside the house at the time of the shooting.

According to Salisbury Police Department public information officer Major Justin Crews, Smith has now been charged with giving fictitious information to officer, driving while license revoked, four counts of first-degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon, misdemeanor child abuse, misdemeanor hit and run, reckless driving to endanger, neglect child abuse with serious bodily injury, possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to see and deliver schedule II controlled substances, trafficking in opium or heroin, felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to see and deliver cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia. These charges stem from incidents that generated warrants from across Rowan, Iredell and Forsyth counties.

In addition, as a result of the chase, Smith faces charges of two counts of felony elude arrest, two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, failure to heed light or siren, speeding, reckless driving, driving while license revoked, fictitious tag, and failure to wear a seat belt.

A Rowan County magistrate denied bond to Smith due to a pre-trial release violation and he was turned over to the Rowan County Detention Center. Salisbury police noted that there were no small children in the vehicle with Smith during the chase, which reached speeds of 130 mph in a 65 mph zone.

“The Salisbury Police Department commends the efforts of all officers and agencies involved in this operation for their professionalism and commitment to public safety,” Crews said in the statement.

Anyone with additional information concerning these cases or the suspect is encouraged to Sgt. McElveen of the Salisbury Police Department at 704-216-2710.

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