Crime
Four Arrested in Mount Airy Attempted Robbery Mass Shooting That Killed Two Teenagers
Four individuals have been arrested in connection with a mass shooting on Samurai Lane in Mount Airy that left two teenagers dead and two others wounded during what authorities have described as an attempted robbery.
Surry County Sheriff Steve C. Hiatt announced Friday that investigators worked throughout the night following Thursday’s shooting and ultimately took two juveniles and two adults into custody.
The incident marks the second mass shooting in Mount Airy’s history.
According to the sheriff’s office, all four victims were young males.
Two teenagers, ages 17 and 18, succumbed to their injuries—one was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other died after being transported to a hospital.
The two surviving victims, also ages 17 and 18, were taken to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
One victim is reported to be in stable condition, while the other remains in critical condition.
Authorities said all four suspects have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.
The two adult suspects are being held without bond at the Surry County Detention Center. The two juveniles are being processed through the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) confirmed that four people were shot during the incident, which occurred at approximately 2:06 p.m. Thursday on Samurai Lane, located off Welcome Baptist Church Road on the east side of Mount Airy.
Deputies and emergency medical personnel responded quickly and provided life-saving measures upon finding the four victims suffering from gunshot wounds, according to the sheriff’s office.
The investigation is being led by the Surry County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from multiple agencies, including the SBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Surry County Emergency Medical Services, the Mount Airy Police Department, and the Bannertown and Four Way volunteer fire departments. The Winston-Salem Police Department also assisted by locating one of the suspects within its jurisdiction.
“This incident is unthinkable,” Sheriff Hiatt said in a statement. “I ask our community to continue to pray for and keep the families of all those involved in your thoughts and prayers, as well as our responders and investigators.”
Samurai Lane and Welcome Baptist Church Road remained closed for several hours Thursday as investigators processed the crime scene.
Sheriff Hiatt expressed gratitude to Welcome Baptist Church for allowing authorities to use its facilities during the response and to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for assistance with traffic control and roadway closures.
The shooting is the deadliest incident in Mount Airy since 2009, when four men were killed in the parking lot of Woods TV store—an event police described at the time as the largest mass killing in the city’s history.
Officials emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.
Due to the continuing investigation and the involvement of juveniles, authorities have not released the names of either the suspects or the victims.
BOULDER CITY, Nev. — Authorities are investigating a vehicle ramming at a power substation near Boulder City as a terrorism-related incident after the suspect, identified as Dawson Noah Maloney of New York state, intentionally crashed into the facility before fatally shooting himself.
During a press conference, law enforcement officials confirmed that Maloney had traveled from New York to Nevada in a rental vehicle.
License plate reader data tracked his cross-country route.
Investigators also revealed that he had recently been reported missing in New York and had communicated with family members shortly before the incident.
According to authorities, Maloney made statements referencing self-harm and expressing a desire to commit an act that would garner media attention.
In a message to his mother, he reportedly referred to himself as a “dead terrorist son” and stated he felt obligated to carry out the act.
A search of the suspect’s hotel room uncovered materials and literature consistent with preparations for a violent act. Investigators recovered books related to various extremist ideologies, including right- and left-wing extremism, environmental extremism, white supremacy, and anti-government movements.
Law enforcement also located explosive materials and components, including thermite, ammonium nitrate, magnesium ribbon, metal pipes, and gasoline.
A subsequent search of the rental vehicle revealed:
- Two shotguns
- An AR-style pistol
- Numerous loaded AR magazines containing .223 ammunition
- A box of shotgun shells
- Two devices described as flamethrowers containing thermite material
- A crowbar and a hatchet
- A cellular phone, which is currently undergoing forensic analysis
Authorities further confirmed that the suspect was wearing soft body armor at the time of the incident.
Officials stated the incident is being treated as a terrorism-related event, and the investigation remains active.
Additional details regarding the suspect’s motives and potential affiliations are still under review.
No additional injuries were reported in connection with the substation crash.
Authorities continue to assess the full scope of the suspect’s actions and any broader implications related to public safety.