Chatham County Officials Arrest 4 In Connection With Shooting, Robbery

Posted 4:42 p.m. Sep 9, 2003 — Updated 4:42 p.m. Sep 9, 2003

CHATHAM COUNTY, N.C. — Following an investigation into a shooting that left the victim in serious condition last week, the Chatham County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations arrested four people Monday.

Investigators established robbery as the motive for the shooting.

At approximately 8:30 p.m. Friday, according to authorities, officers from the Chatham County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of North Carolina Highway 902 at the Rocky River in Bear Creek in reference to shots being fired. While en route, the officers were told there was a subject located in a vehicle stopped in the travel lanes of North Carolina 902 at the Rocky River Bridge.

Upon arrival, officers found a white man -- identified as 43-year-old Harvey Lee Felton Sr. -- slumped in the vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the head. As soon as the scene was secured by officers, Chatham County emergency medical services personnel stabilized Felton, and he was transported to UNC Hospitals in serious condition.

The Chatham County Sheriff's Office said Felton will have surgery as soon as his condition improves.

Taken into custody for the shooting were:

Charles Calvin Schoonover, 37, last known address of 147 School Road, Moncure, NC.

Schoonover is charged with asault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, and felonious larceny. He is being held under $500,000 secured bond.

Kenneth Ray King, 49, of 5665 Old U.S. 1, New Hill, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, and felonious larceny. He is being held on a $150,000 secured bond.

William Preston Phillips, 31, of 2593 Pea Ridge Road, New Hill, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.

Mary Jo Phillips Yates, 34, of 2593 Pea Ridge Road, New Hill, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. Yates is being held on a $50,000 secured bond.

In addition to the shooting of Felton, the crime of breaking-and-entering into Felton's car was reported at Felton's home. Investigators were able connect the two cases to two of the suspects while conducting the shooting investigation.

Court date for all four suspects is set for Sept. 17 in Chatham County District Court.

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