A tense stretch of Interstate 85 in Salisbury turned violent last Sunday when an apparent road-rage encounter ended with one driver shot and another under arrest. Patrol officers found the gravely injured person between East Innes Street and Jake Alexander Boulevard, then provided life-saving aid until EMS could take over. The suspect, identified by police as Darrion Ravon Black, was taken into custody and is being held without bond.
Investigation and charges
The Salisbury Police Department said its Violent Crimes Unit developed probable cause to charge Black with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, two counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied conveyance, and discharging a firearm within city limits. According to the department, Black was arrested on Feb. 22 and is being held without bond, and investigators have not released any additional details about a possible motive.
What police say
According to WYFF, patrol officers responding to the shooting on I-85 located one individual suffering from a gunshot wound and rendered life-saving aid until EMS arrived. WYFF reported that the victim sustained serious injuries but is expected to recover, and investigators are still working to piece together how the confrontation started and escalated into gunfire.
Local highway context
The stretch of I-85 through Rowan County has seen other frightening incidents in recent years. The Salisbury Post reported a May 2025 road-rage case in which a bullet missed a motorist’s head by inches, and WBTV covered a Feb. 20 exchange of gunfire near Faith Road and Innes Street that left another person seriously injured. Local law enforcement officials say they are treating the latest I-85 shooting as part of an ongoing effort to clamp down on freeway violence.
How to help
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective White at 704-638-5341, according to the Salisbury Police Department. Callers who prefer to remain anonymous can leave tips with local Crime Stoppers as investigators continue to seek witnesses and any available video from the scene.
Legal implications
Per the North Carolina General Assembly, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle or other occupied property is a felony that carries tougher penalties if the shooting causes serious bodily injury. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-32 also classifies assaults with a deadly weapon that inflict serious injury or are committed with intent to kill as felonies, and any eventual sentence would depend on the specific charge and the defendant’s prior record.
