Third person dies after Hickory pub shooting, police say

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By Dave Faherty

HICKORY, N.C. — Four people were shot, three fatally, outside of a Hickory pub early Friday morning, police said.

Officers said the four people were shot around 2:15 a.m. while they were sitting inside their vehicle in the parking lot of J. McCroskey's Irish Pub and Grill on 29th Avenue Northeast.

The victims and the suspects were patrons of the pub and got into an argument in the parking lot, police said. Officials said there is no known connection between the two groups.

Police identified the two people who died at the scene as Justin Aiken, 21, of Newton, and Cody Bouphavong, 21, of Conover.

(Aiken)

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(Bouphavong)

The two injured at the scene were identified as Quajuae Kennedy, 21, of Newton and Cole Ervin, 20, of Claremont.

Kennedy was listed in critical condition at Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem. She later died from her injuries on Saturday night.

Ervin was treated for gunshot wounds and released from Frye Regional Medical Center.

(Kennedy)

Pablo Hernandez, 21, of Conover, was the driver of the vehicle and was not injured.

"What happened this morning or last night, the environment is not a reflection of who he is,” said Cody Bouphavong’s cousin, Brian Bouphavong. “It was just wrong place, wrong time."

Those who work near the Irish Pub said the business attracts a lot of people Thursday nights but they were surprised to hear of the violence.

"Very popular on the weekends,” clerk Lance Jonas said. “Good crowds. I've never had any issues with any of the people who come in and out."

"So sad,” resident Kristen Deon said. “So unfortunate. I feel for all of the families involved. It's just a sad situation."

Police arrested Dontray Cumberlander, 23, and Greydon Hansen, 23, both of Hickory, in connection with the shooting.

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(Hansen, Cumberlander)

They are charged with three counts of murder and one count of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injuries with intent to kill.

Cumberlander and Hansen were placed in the Catawba County Jail under no bail, and were set to face a judge Monday morning.

The district attorney told the judge because of the serious charges, he did not want the men receive a bond.

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