NEWS RELEASE October 22, 2014 Arrests Made in Indian Trail Shooting Incident Detectives with the Union County Sheriff’s Office have arrested two suspects they allege are responsible for shooting into an occupied Indian Trail residence on the evening of October 8, 2014. The shooting occurred at 1105 Robert Lane, and was reported just after 11 PM. A mother and three children were present inside the home when a buckshot round from a shotgun was fired into the residence, piercing the living room wall and narrowly missing the children inside. The lengthy investigation into this shooting revealed it stemmed from an earlier drug deal, where the alleged dealer was robbed at gunpoint. Detectives believe that Franks, who was reportedly robbed earlier the same day during the alleged drug deal, returned to the Robert Lane area that same evening, accompanied by Smith. At approximately 11pm they fired a shotgun into the residence they believed was that of the robbery suspect. Their information was incorrect, and they in fact fired into the residence of an innocent victim, with no relation to, or involvement with, the earlier drug dealing and robbery. Thorian Austin Franks (20) was taken into custody yesterday without incident. The Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT) was called upon to execute the arrest warrants and also a search warrant at the residence of the second suspect, Andrew Yates Smith (22), at 3615 Braefield Drive, Indian Trail. Smith was taken into custody by the tactical team without incident. A subsequent search of the residence uncovered illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia, as well as additional evidence in the shooting investigation. The drug-related robbery that led to this incident is still under investigation, and charges are expected to follow. Sheriff Cathey stated “I commend the diligence and persistence of my deputies in the clearance of these two potentially dangerous incidents. Once again, these cases are cleared through both hard work on our part, and the willingness of concerned citizens to come forward and provide vital pieces of information. The end result is we are able to get these dangerous criminals off the street, and put drug dealers out of business”. Charges Thorian Franks: Shooting Into an Occupied Dwelling, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Two Counts Discharging a Firearm in Town Limits. $40,000 secured bond and a November 25, 2014 court date. Andrew Smith: Shooting Into an Occupied Dwelling, Possess of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Felony Maintain a Dwelling, Discharging a Firearm in Town Limits. $40,000 secured bond and a November 25, 2014 court date. Point of contact for this press release is Captain Ronnie Whitaker at 704-283-3887. ### Citizens with information concerning criminal activity are encouraged to call: Union County Sheriff’s Office at 704-283-3789 or Union County Crimestoppers at 704-283-5600
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 15:50:27 +0000
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