by EMILY MELTON
News Reporter
 
With the majority of its students gone for holiday break, the once-buzzing streets of Boone eased into a quiet lull.

Upon their return, many students were surprised to hear of the murder of a local businessman.

The incident is the first murder of a Boone resident in more than three years.

The last was when Appalachian State University student Steven W. Harrington was found dead in the trunk of a vehicle in Foscoe.

The Gold and Closeout Connection pawnshop at 499 E. King St. was robbed on Dec. 22. Photo by The Appalachian

 Jimmy D. Roberts, 40, employee of the Gold and Closeout Connection pawnshop at 499 E. King St., did not return home from work Dec. 22.

 That night, the victim’s family called the Boone Police Department out of concern for his well-being, and police were immediately sent to the scene.  

“The door [to the pawn shop] was locked so [Boone Police and the Boone Fire Department] had to force their way in,” Boone Police Sgt. Jim Wilson said. “They had to drill the lock open.”

Upon entering the shop, Roberts was found dead from a single gunshot wound.

Wilson said investigators are currently interviewing those with information and reviewing evidence at their lab.

“I’ve lived in the Boone area for [many] years and something like this happening was always unheard of,” Wilson said. “It’s sad that it can happen now, even in our small community.”

He said people in the community have been a big help.

“Many residents have come forward on their own to tell us what they know,” Wilson said.

Shortly after the incident occurred, Boone Police identified John R. Gray, 28, of Virginia Beach, Va., as the prime suspect of the case.

“We don’t know why Gray was in Boone,” Wilson said.

He said the evidence investigators used to name the suspect cannot be disclosed at this time.

When Gray was identified, police then began looking for the Roberts’ car, which they believed to be stolen by the suspect.

According to Gray’s arrest report by Boone Police Sgt. Matt Stevens, police encountered the suspect and the Roberts’ vehicle just after midnight Christmas day.

A caller revealed a tip and said someone was selling firearms from a truck near a McDonald’s in Illinois.

The man selling the firearms was believed to be Gray.

Gray fled but was later located at a hotel in Rochelle, Ill., where he surrendered after several hours of negotiation. He was taken into custody shortly thereafter.

At the time of his arrest, he was not armed.

Stevens drove to the Ogle County, Ill. jail and transported Gray back to Boone the next day.

Gray is now in custody at Watauga County Detention Center, where he is awaiting trial and being held without bond.

He is being charged with homicide and may also face further charges that are currently being investigated.

Employees of Gold and Closeout Connection denied comment as of press time.

Boone Police are unable to divulge evidence of the case until his trial takes place March 30.

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