Salisbury, NC – A disturbing act of violence unfolded in Rowan County earlier this week during what was meant to be a routine child custody exchange. On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds was transported to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center in a privately owned vehicle. The unfolding investigation has revealed that the shooting occurred at a residence located at 210 Grants Creek Road, triggering a major law enforcement response and resulting in serious charges for two individuals.
Shooting During Custody Exchange
According to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were first alerted to the incident when the gunshot victim arrived at Novant Hospital. Based on initial information provided by the victim and those involved in the transport, investigators were able to quickly identify the crime scene location and dispatched units to 210 Grants Creek Road to secure the area.
Upon arrival, deputies encountered two individuals at the residence, identified as Melvin Bookhart and Raynard Bookhart, both of whom were present during the time of the shooting. They were immediately escorted from the scene and agreed to cooperate with investigators.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the shooting occurred during a child custody exchange, a situation that should have been centered around the welfare of a child but instead escalated into violence. According to officials, an altercation broke out between Melvin Bookhart and the victim, and at some point during the dispute, shots were fired, striking the victim multiple times.
Search of the Residence Yields Weapons
Detectives with the Rowan County Criminal Investigations Division were called to the scene and obtained a search warrant for the property. As they processed the scene, investigators discovered multiple firearms and ammunition inside the residence—an alarming discovery, especially in light of the criminal records of the individuals involved.
Both Melvin Bookhart and Raynard Bookhart were revealed to be convicted felons, which prohibits them from owning or possessing firearms under North Carolina law.
As a result of the search and witness testimony, the following charges were filed:
- Melvin Bookhart:
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury
- Raynard Bookhart:
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
Authorities have not confirmed what role Raynard Bookhart may have played in the altercation, but his presence at the scene, combined with the weapons discovered in the home, led to the felony possession charge.
Victim in Serious Condition
The unnamed victim was initially treated at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, but due to the serious nature of the injuries, he was later transported to Presbyterian Hospital for advanced care. As of the latest reports, the victim remains hospitalized, and his current condition has not been disclosed.
Detectives have not released the victim’s name, citing the ongoing investigation and the sensitive nature of the case, particularly due to the involvement of a child.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Appeal
Investigators stress that the case remains very much active and ongoing. Detectives are working to piece together the exact series of events that led to the violent escalation. Authorities are reviewing any available security footage, collecting digital evidence, and speaking to witnesses to determine motive, intent, and any prior history between the individuals involved.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about the shooting or events leading up to it to come forward.
“This is a deeply troubling situation involving violence in a setting where the priority should have been the safety of a child,” said a spokesperson for the department. “We’re asking the community to help us get to the truth.”
Individuals with information are encouraged to contact Detective D. Fero or Detective Sgt. K. Holshouser directly. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Rowan County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.
A Community Calls for Peace
This tragic event has reignited discussions in the Rowan County community about the volatile nature of custody exchanges and the importance of legal protections and supervised settings for such interactions—especially when tensions between parties are known.
Advocates for family safety are once again calling for expanded resources, including neutral custody exchange centers, mental health intervention, and increased legal oversight to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
As this investigation continues, one thing remains clear: a child has been placed at the center of a tragic and violent situation, and the community is left grappling with the consequences of yet another preventable act of gun violence.
#RowanCounty #CustodyExchangeShooting #GunViolence #JusticeForTheVictim
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