The Hickory Police Department has apprehended a suspect in connection to a homicide that occurred earlier this month. On July 14, 2025, officers responded to a call reporting shots fired at a residence located at 1123 2nd Street SE in Hickory where they found Keimarian Donyah Peterson, 22, dead at the scene.
According to an update by the Hickory Police Department, Jaheem Quashawn Harris, 19, from Lenoir, has been charged with the murder of Peterson. Harris is currently being detained at the Catawba County Detention Facility, without bond. In the process of apprehending the suspect, Hickory Police collaborated with, the Lenoir Police Department. The circumstances surrounding the charge have not been fully disclosed as the investigation is still underway.
As the community reels from the incident, law enforcement is urging those with any knowledge about the case to step forward. "Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Investigator Tammie Johnson at [email protected] or call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551," the Hickory Police Department's recent announcement stated. The details of the event remain sparse, but authorities maintain a steady resolve in piecing together the narrative of that fatal day, emphasizing the critical need for public assistance.
The custody of Harris marks a pivotal moment in a case that has undoubtedly enshrouded the local community in a pall of mourning and concern. While the Hickory Police Department remains tight-lipped about the particulars of their ongoing investigation, the arrest will likely provide some solace to a beleaguered public seeking answers and justice for Peterson. The department's earnest plea for information signifies a case still unfolding, a narrative still incomplete, and an urgent quest to unveil the truth of what transpired on that grim morning in July.
