Man shoots uncle outside Stanley Dollar General in Gaston County; suspect arrested

Investigators arrested 31-year-old Christopher McDowell after a dispute outside the Dollar General on East Dallas Road in Stanley, Gaston County left one person shot and hospitalized, local reports say. The victim, identified by outlets as the suspect’s uncle, was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive, according to WCCB and WCNC.

WSOC and Yahoo reported officers responded to the crime scene in the parking lot of the Dollar General around 11:15 a.m. Police told media there is “no threat to the public,” and officials urged people to “avoid the area while they continue their investigation,” WSOC and Yahoo said.

WCCB reported that “McDowell allegedly fired multiple shots and struck his uncle in the parking lot.” That outlet also reported McDowell “was taken into custody without further incident,” and noted the incident stemmed from a dispute between family members.

WCNC provided the list of charges filed against McDowell, reporting he faces attempted first-degree murder, discharging a firearm in the city, carrying a concealed weapon, and going armed to the terror of people. WCNC also reported McDowell is being held without bond and that his next court date is on Monday.

Police and local outlets described the shooting as arising from a domestic dispute and said the suspect and the victim knew each other. No victim name or hospital was released in the initial reports, and authorities have not released the exact time of the shooting beyond the approximate 11:15 a.m. police response reported by WSOC and Yahoo.

The Stanley Police Department’s investigation remains ongoing, WCCB reported, and WCNC said investigators continue to process the scene outside the Dollar General on East Dallas Road. Authorities have not released details about weapon recovery or whether surveillance footage exists.

McDowell’s arraignment set for Monday will be the next public milestone in the case; prosecutors and the Gaston County court system will determine whether the attempted first-degree murder charge and the firearm-related counts will proceed to indictment. Police reiterated there is no current threat to the public as investigators continue their work.