INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. — Authorities have charged six individuals in connection with a violent assault and kidnapping that left a man severely injured in late February. The incident unfolded on Hayes Road, where Union County Sheriff’s deputies discovered the victim, who was found naked in frigid temperatures with his hands bound.
According to law enforcement, the victim had endured extensive physical abuse, which included being struck with a firearm. Following a comprehensive investigation that lasted several months, police identified Jamaal Holley, Jackie Brown Jr., and Kenijae Howard as key suspects. Each faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon resulting in serious injury, while Holley is additionally charged with attempted murder.
Investigators are still attempting to locate two other suspects, Jamari Grady and Natselane Mattison, both of whom remain at large. Martell Johnson, another individual implicated in the case, is currently awaiting extradition from a South Carolina correctional facility.
Authorities have indicated that the suspects are affiliated with a street gang originating outside of Union County. This connection is a focal point of the ongoing investigation as officials work to understand the broader implications of gang influence in the region.
The violent nature of the attack has sent shockwaves through the local community, prompting residents to voice their concerns about safety and criminal activity in their neighborhoods. As investigators continue their pursuit of justice for the victim, community leaders are calling for increased engagement and preventative measures to combat gang-related violence.
Sheriff’s officials have emphasized the importance of cooperation from the public in resolving the case. Tips and information related to the whereabouts of the remaining suspects are being actively sought to aid in their apprehension.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case has drawn attention to the challenges law enforcement faces in curbing gang violence and ensuring public safety in Union County and beyond. The community remains on alert as they await further developments in this troubling situation.