Written by Sunday, 26th, July 2026
BURKE COUNTY, N.C. – A Hickory man has been arrested and charged following a fatal shooting Saturday night in Burke County.
According to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a reported shooting around 10:41 p.m. on July 25 at 7870 River Rock Road. Responding deputies located a male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. Despite life-saving efforts, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Following an investigation by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, Kenneth Lee Potter, 40, of Hickory, was charged with Felony Unspecified Homicide. He was taken into custody without incident and is being held without bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for July 27, 2026.
The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of family members. The investigation remains active.
We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be published as it becomes available through official sources.