Man charged in deadly shooting at Hickory McDonald's

HICKORY, NC (WBTV) - A man is charged in a shooting that left a woman dead and a man seriously injured at a McDonald's in Hickory Wednesday. Deputies said the shootings stemmed from a domestic dispute.

Eric Terril Yount, 22, is charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder in the death of 22-year-old Richelle Lail and the shooting of 28-year-old Cody Williams Watts.

The shooting happened just before 6 p.m. at the McDonald's on Hwy 321. Investigators said Lail  and Watts were employees at the restaurant and met there Wednesday evening. They said that at some point, Yount showed up and rammed Watts' truck with his vehicle.

Deputies said Lail reportedly confronted Yount and they began arguing. Yount then shot and killed Lail and shot into Watts' truck, hitting him several times.

When law enforcement arrived, Lail was found dead on the ground. Watts was found sitting in a car with gunshot wounds, and was taken to an area hospital where he was reported to be in critical condition.

Yount reportedly left the scene in a Nissan Xterra, but investigators said they believed he switched vehicles later. He was taken into custody in Caldwell County several hours later.

Lail's family members told WBTV that she and Yount had children together. Investigators have not confirmed the relationship between the suspect and the victims.

Yount appeared in court Thursday and no bond was set. Officials said he has no prior criminal record.

As of Friday, Watts was still in "very" critical condition, according to Capt. Baer with the Hickory Police Department.

The shooting remains under investigation.

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