LEXINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) — Police are offering an update about a shooting that kicked off a string of violent crimes in Davidson County.
Lexington Police Chief Robby Rummage announced at a news conference on Tuesday that 48-year-old Rigo Mejia, the victim of a Lexington shooting, has died of his injuries. The suspect, Zackary Plowman, 39, of Rural Hall, has now been charged with murder.
Near 9 p.m. on Saturday, police heard gunshots and drove toward Virginia Drive in Lexington. At the scene, a man ran into the street and approached officers saying, “Help me. Help me,” Rummage said. The victim had gunshot wounds.
The officers called in backup, and, when additional officers arrived, they “were met with an extremely chaotic scene,” according to Rummage. They found two more gunshot victims and immediately launched into life-saving measures.
One of the victims in the Virginia Drive shooting remains in critical condition, and the other has been released from the hospital.
Shortly after the shooting, there was a report of shots fired on Greensboro Street Extension. Police believe the shooting, which is under investigation by the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, may involve the same suspect.
According to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, Plowman later broke into Community Fellowship Moravian Church on Welcome-Arcadia Road in Davidson County and slept there. When the pastor of the church and his wife arrived at the church, Plowman allegedly held them at knifepoint and carjacked them.
The Lexington Police Department attempted to stop him, but he drove away. The pastor and his wife were let out of the car near Sink Road at City Lake Road, and the car was later found abandoned at JD Essick Road.
“The defendant in this case has zero regard for human life,” Rummage said.
Rummage added that, just prior to the Virginia Drive shooting, two vehicles were damaged at Jerry Hunt Supercenter. Rummage said they believe Plowman was responsible for the damage.
Between the two agencies, Plowman was initially charged with:
- Three counts of attempted murder
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Felony flee to elude
- Breaking and entering into a place of worship
- Larceny after breaking and entering
- Robbery with a dangerous weapon
- Two counts of first-degree kidnapping
- Larceny of a motor vehicle
- Misdemeanor larceny
