Crime Instead of Celebration: Fourth of July Shooting Erupts at Property Long Plagued by Criminal Activity

What should have been a day of celebrating Independence Day instead turned violent in Rutherford County after two people were shot at a property already known to law enforcement for repeated criminal activity.

Just before noon on Saturday, July 4, deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported shooting at 482 Morningstar Lake Road in Forest City.

When deputies arrived, they found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. The suspected shooter had already fled the area before law enforcement reached the scene. Both victims were treated by Rutherford County EMS before being transported to a regional trauma center for further medical care.

Detectives with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division, along with the Sheriff's Office Forensic Investigations Unit, quickly launched an investigation and processed the crime scene.

Investigators soon identified the suspect as Robert Dale Wood III, who was later located in neighboring Cleveland County. Wood was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Rutherford County Detention Center.

Wood has been charged with:

• Two counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury

• Second-Degree Trespass

  
  

He is currently being held without bond.

The shooting occurred at the same Morningstar Lake Road property that was recently the focus of a nuisance abatement action conducted by the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office in partnership with the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the property has been linked to years of recurring criminal activity, including illegal drug sales, overdose incidents, and violent crimes. Officials say the ongoing problems have placed a significant burden on nearby residents as well as emergency responders.

Authorities say the latest shooting highlights the continued need for nuisance abatement efforts aimed at addressing properties that repeatedly threaten public safety and impact the surrounding community.

The investigation remains ongoing. At this time, no photograph of Robert Dale Wood III has been released by the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.