Investigators: Man accused of Catawba Co. murder was released from prison 2 weeks prior

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — The man accused of shooting and killing someone in Catawba County Sunday night had gotten out of prison just two weeks before the crime, investigators confirm.

Police said 43-year-old Christopher Woods died in the shooting, which happened south of Hickory.

Sherriff’s deputies told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty it happened at a home along 15th Avenue Southwest just after 10 p.m. Sunday. They said an argument at the house led to the gunfire.

When deputies got to the scene, they found Woods dead outside the home.

Investigators said they were able to gather enough information at the scene to figure out Az Thor was the suspect in the case. They said he left the scene on foot before they arrived.

Authorities said Thor had gotten out of prison just two weeks prior, after serving more than four years for being a habitual felon. According to records from the North Carolina Department of Correction, he was arrested several times for breaking into cars and stealing them.

After a search along Highway 70 near Brookford Boulevard, a deputy found Thor at an local car dealership and took him into custody, authorities said.

Friends and neighbors said Woods was known for helping others. Betty Anthony, who lives nearby, told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty that Woods helped build a deck at her home. Like many there, she was in shock about what happened.

“Chris was really an asset to the neighborhood. People could buy tires from him,” Anthony said. “Anything that you would need in your household, he would get it and fix it for them. He was just a handyman to everybody.

A lead investigator told Faherty they found a handgun they believe may be the murder weapon near Highway 70. He also thanked Hickory police for assisting in the case.

Thor has been charged with one count of murder, deputies said, and is being held in the Catawba County jail with no bond.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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