MARION, N.C. — A tense and chaotic day in McDowell County came to a close Monday afternoon after a multi-agency manhunt ended with the arrest of 40-year-old Robert Owens of Marion. Owens was taken into custody in Burke County by North Carolina State Troopers in connection with a shooting that injured 31-year-old Donovan Wilson earlier that morning outside a local convenience store. The violent incident, which also involved 32-year-old Amber Lamb and Megan Smith, both of Marion, has left the community shaken and demanding answers.
According to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the scene just before 8:30 a.m. Monday after reports of gunfire erupted outside a convenience store on the outskirts of Marion. When first responders arrived, they found Donovan Wilson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to Mission Hospital in Asheville, where he remains in stable condition following emergency surgery.
Witnesses told investigators that an argument had broken out in the store’s parking lot moments before shots were fired. Authorities have not released the exact nature of the dispute but confirmed that it appeared to be domestic-related and that all parties involved were known to each other.
Owens fled the scene before deputies arrived, prompting a countywide manhunt that extended into neighboring Burke County. Law enforcement agencies — including state troopers, McDowell County deputies, Burke County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service — worked together to track Owens’s vehicle. After several hours of searching, troopers located him traveling along a rural roadway and conducted a high-risk traffic stop around 2:15 p.m. Owens was arrested without further incident.
Authorities recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. Owens is now facing multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, possession of a firearm by a felon, and fleeing to elude arrest. Additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.
In a statement Monday evening, Sheriff Ricky Buchanan praised the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies that led to Owens’s quick arrest:
“This was a dangerous situation that could have ended much worse. Thanks to the swift action and cooperation between our local and state partners, the suspect is now in custody, and the community can rest easier tonight.”
The sheriff’s office also confirmed that Amber Lamb and Megan Smith were questioned at the scene and are cooperating with investigators. Authorities have not released further details on their involvement but stated that no other injuries were reported.
Residents of Marion expressed both relief and concern after hearing about the arrest. The shooting marks yet another incident of gun violence in a small, typically quiet community where many say they no longer feel as safe as they once did.
“This is not something you expect to happen here,” said a local business owner who works near the scene. “It’s scary, especially when it’s people from our own town involved. I’m just glad the police caught him before anyone else got hurt.”
As Donovan Wilson continues his recovery, family members have expressed gratitude for the community’s prayers and support, saying he is “lucky to be alive” after the harrowing ordeal.
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the events leading up to the shooting, including what sparked the argument and whether there was a history of conflict among those involved.
Robert Owens remains in custody at the McDowell County Detention Center without bond as he awaits his first court appearance.
What began as a violent confrontation on a quiet Monday morning ended hours later with a sense of relief across Marion — but also a sobering reminder of how quickly disputes can turn deadly, leaving lasting scars on families and communities alike.
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