Cary man accused of murder in Montgomery, Ala.

Zachary Stirewalt, 21, is charged in the death of Daniel Turman, 43, who was found with multiple gunshots at his home around 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Stirewalt, who was at the house at the time, was taken into custody at the scene as a person of interest and was charged Monday with murder, Montgomery police said.

Investigators said Turman, a father of two, offered Stirewalt temporary housing after learning that he recently left his home in North Carolina and had no place to live.

They have not offered a possible motive for the crime. An incident report indicates that Stirewalt was sober and did not resist arrest.

According to several social media sites and blogs, Stirewalt was a creative student who attended Appalachian University in Boone, where he was studying commercial photography.

Karen Suddreth, a spokeswoman for the university's registrar's office, said Stirewalt did not register for the fall semester but that he did attend classes this summer. Had he been enrolled this fall, he would have been on track to graduate in the spring.

It's unclear why he was in Alabama or why he left home. He had also finished up an internship this summer in New York City.

A 2009 graduate of Green Hope High School in Cary, Stirewalt was an honors student involved in the National Honor Society and other student activities, including the high school marching band, Principal James Hedrick said.

"I hate to use the word 'model student' in describing any student, but Zac was a well-rounded student," Hedrick said. "(He was) very involved in the school, very involved in the community – a great kid."

He was also an Eagle Scout and an active member of White Plains United Methodist Church.

"I sincerely hope it's not true," Hedrick said. "I have a great deal of compassion for him and his family for having to deal with this."

Messages to Stirewalt's family were not returned Friday, but the church released a statement, saying it has been in contact daily with the family.

"Zach and his family have always been greatly active members of our community of faith for many years," the statement said. "We are praying for Zach, his family, and for Mr. Turman and his family in this very difficult and very sad time."