Forest City Man Charged With Attempted Murder

A Forest City man is facing an attempted murder charge after his father was shot inside a western North Carolina food processing plant Tuesday afternoon, authorities confirmed.

The shooting happened around 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 13 inside Mack’s Livermush and Meats, a longtime regional food producer near the Rutherford–Cleveland county line, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. One employee was shot in the chest and airlifted for emergency treatment.

Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg said a 911 call reported that an employee had been shot and that the suspect was still inside the building. Deputies with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office arrived first and took the suspect into custody without incident.

Investigators identified the suspect as Donte Deion Laney, 37, also known as Donta Laney, of Forest City. He is charged with attempted first-degree murder and is being held without bond, court records show.

The victim was flown to Spartanburg Medical Center. His condition has not been released. Court documents identify the victim as Johnny Benjamin Hunt, who authorities say is Laney’s father. The relationship was confirmed by Sheriff Ellenburg and the business owner.

Investigators executed a search warrant at the plant, interviewed witnesses, and processed the scene for evidence. Authorities said there was no ongoing threat to the public once the suspect was secured.

Court records allege Laney “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously, with malice aforethought,” attempted to kill Hunt. The case remains pending in Rutherford District Court.

Law enforcement has not said what led up to the shooting, including whether it stemmed from a personal dispute, a workplace conflict, or both. Officials also have not indicated whether any warning signs were reported before the incident.

The business owner has cooperated with investigators, and the sheriff’s office thanked multiple agencies for their response. As the case moves through the court system, investigators say additional details about motive and workplace circumstances have not yet been released.