On November 5, 2015 at 10:25 pm, deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded to 278 Laurel Hill Road in reference to a shots fired call.
The occupant of the residence, Charles Carson Jr. advised that a subject came into his residence and fired multiple shots.
Deputies responded and found 41 year, Lori Blackwood Suhy, lying in the bedroom deceased from what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds.
Shortly after the shooting, a North Carolina State Trooper was on patrol in the Forest City area near the Tri City Mall on Highway 74A and stopped Howard Earl Bates of Homeplace Drive, Shelby for speeding.
Bates was detained until further investigation was conducted.
Bates was later interviewed by detectives from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and charged with Murder and First Degree Burglary.
A Rutherford County Magistrate denied bond for Bates.
Bates had a first appearance with a Rutherford County District Court Judge on Friday November 6, 2015.
Bates and Suhy were in a dating relationship for the last four months and lived together at Bates’ Cleveland County address.
The investigation into this case is continuing.
