Henrietta Man Charged With Murder After Deadly Main Street Shooting

A Rutherford County man is facing murder and firearm charges after a deadly shooting on Main Street in Henrietta, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office and emergency communications pubic records audio.

Investigators say Steven Thomas Hodge, 38, of Ellenboro, was charged following the shooting death of Daniel Acy, 39.

In a statement released on May 28, the sheriff’s office said deputies and investigators “worked throughout the early morning hours and throughout the day conducting interviews and follow-ups involving the shooting on Main Street, Henrietta.”

Authorities charged Hodge with common law murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

“Hodge is currently being held without bond,” the sheriff’s office said. “The investigation is continuing with the possibility of the charges being upgraded or downgraded dependent upon facts gathered during the remainder of the investigation.”

Court records filed in Rutherford County District Court show Hodge faces a murder charge under case number 26CR318396-800.

According to the magistrate’s order, investigators allege Hodge “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did of malice aforethought kill and murder Daniel Acy.”

The murder charge was filed on May 28. Detective Timothy Lowery with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is listed as the complainant in court records.

A separate criminal case, 26CR318164-800, charges Hodge with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Charging documents allege Hodge possessed a Ruger 10/22 rifle despite a prior Rutherford County felony conviction for second-degree kidnapping. Court records show that Hodge pleaded guilty to that offense in Rutherford County Superior Court in 2016 and received an active prison sentence of 35 to 54 months.

District court records show Hodge appeared in court on Thursday, where a public defender was appointed to represent him. Court minutes indicate Judge Ellen Shelley ordered Hodge held without bond.

Records also show a probable cause hearing was waived. Additional court proceedings are scheduled for June 10 in Rutherford County District Court.

Investigators have not released additional information about what led to the shooting.

Under North Carolina law, criminal charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.