Statesville police are advancing in their investigation into the shooting death of Richard Wayne Pledger, 52, a local man found dead in his home on Stewart Court on April 21, 2024. Authorities were called to the 600 block of Stewart Court around 12:25 A.M. after reports of a gunshot victim emerged. Despite swift emergency response, Pledger was pronounced dead at the scene by Iredell County EMS and Statesville Fire Department, a casualty of numerous gunshot wounds.

According to a recent update from the Statesville Police Department, efforts to untangle the events leading to Pledger’s death are ongoing. Details about potential suspects or motives have not been released, keeping the community on edge as authorities sift through evidence and statements. The initial 911 call points to a potentially targeted attack, but officials have not confirmed the nature of an incident.

The Statesville community has been reeling from the sudden violence that tore through the quiet night of April 21st. Local reactions range from shock to a tinge of fear, as neighbors are forced to reckon with the proximity of gun violence. It has been a grim reminder of the fragility of peace and the potential danger lurking beneath the surface of suburban enclages. The Statesville Police Department urges anyone with information about the homicide to come forward.