Hickory homicide may be connected to other shootings across town, police say

HICKORY, N.C. — The deadly shooting of a man at his home in Hickory over the weekend may be related to two other recent shootings, according to the Hickory Police Department.

Officers responded before 7 a.m. on Saturday after a woman said someone shot multiple rounds at her home on 14th Avenue Drive Southwest.

Prosper Nyatorwonu, 46, was found suffering from several gunshot wounds. He died at the hospital on Tuesday.

Hickory police are working to track down the shooter, but they are also searching for another suspect.

Police told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty the couple’s son is wanted in connection with a different shooting.

Investigators say 18-year-old Toland Huff Jr. was involved in a pair of shootings in the last month, including an incident just two days after his mother and stepfather were shot at.

Officers weren’t able to say for sure if any of the shootings were connected, but they told Channel 9 it continues to be part of their investigation.

Gunfire erupted early Saturday morning after Joy Tucker picked up her husband from work. When the couple arrived home, police say someone walked up and began shooting.

Outside the home you can see where the gunfire shattered car windows, flattened a car tire and hit the home.

“I need the police … shots fired at my house. I don’t know if anybody is shot or not,” Tucker said in a call for first responders.

That’s when officers say Nyatorwonu was found with his wounds.

Police are now looking to connect the dots in the shooting and they’re hoping Huff may be able to help.

Huff was charged with attempted murder for shooting into two apartments last month. He was released on bond, but has since been identified as a suspect in another shooting near a Hickory convenience store on Monday.

Neighbors say their community has never experienced anything like this.

“I think it’s horrible, it’s terrible,” Eloise Rose told Channel 9. “Nothing like that has ever happened in all the years that I’ve lived here and we built this house here.”

On Thursday afternoon, Huff turned himself in for the shooting earlier this week. He is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and being held on $200,000 bond.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story said the victim’s wife was also shot. The woman was hurt, but was not shot.

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Detectives investigate homicide in southeast Charlotte

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