A deadly shooting inside a Vale home has turned into a countywide search, as Catawba County authorities look for a man they have tied to the killing of resident Rusty Johnson.
Deputies found Johnson suffering from a gunshot wound at the residence and rushed him to a local hospital, where he later died. Investigators have identified 39-year-old Thomas Christopher Banks of Cherryville as a suspect and say he is currently wanted in connection with the case. Authorities are urging anyone with information about Banks or the shooting to come forward.
According to WCCB Charlotte, the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Vale home and located Johnson at the scene. Deputies then identified Banks as the person of interest, but the station reports investigators have not discussed any possible motive and have not listed formal charges. WCCB adds that deputies are actively seeking tips as the probe continues.
How to report tips
Anyone with knowledge of Banks’ whereabouts is asked to contact investigators at 828-464-3112. That phone number appears in Catawba County’s emergency and law-enforcement contact listings, where the county website directs the public to its E911 communications center and sheriff’s office lines for tips and warrants.
Local context
The killing comes as Catawba County continues to confront high-profile gun cases. On June 1, 2025, a mass shooting at a Mountain View house party left one person dead and 11 others injured. That incident led to a multiagency investigation and public appeals for video and tips, as reported by WBTV.
Investigation status
In the Vale case, investigators have not released any information about a possible motive or whether an arrest warrant has been issued, the sheriff’s office told WCCB Charlotte. Officials say the investigation remains active and are again urging anyone with relevant information to reach out to investigators.
How the public can help
Tips can be reported to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 828-464-3112, according to the county’s online contact listings. Members of the public who believe they are in immediate danger or who spot the suspect in an urgent situation should call 911.
