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Suspects apprehended in homicide case

July 1, 2022 Update

On Friday, July 1, 2022, Aunshae Conley, a 21-year-old male, was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service on a warrant for murder in connection to the death of Shonniel Blackburn. He is currently being held in the Catawba County Jail under a No Bond. 

 

June 17, 2022 Update

The final juvenile suspect wanted in connection with the homicide of Shonniel Blackburn was taken into custody Friday afternoon by Hickory Police Investigators.

The search for the four suspects, three 16-year-olds and one 15-year-old, began after Shonniel Blackburn, 35, of Hickory was found dead at Blue Ridge Heights Apartments on Monday, June 13.  

The Hickory Police Department would like to thank the Hickory community for their patience and assistance as officers worked tirelessly to investigate this case.

HPD continues to ask that anyone with information about this case contact the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551, or contact Investigator C. Laffon at claffon@hickorync.gov.

 

June 16, 2022 Update

Hickory Investigators are searching for a stolen vehicle that a 15-year-old male suspect in a homicide case was spotted in.

The vehicle is a silver 2019 Nissan Sentra. The car has a North Carolina license plate with the tag number RDJ-7400.

If you see this vehicle, do not approach it or its occupants. Call the Hickory Police Department immediately at 828-328-5551.

Once again, the Hickory Police Department thanks the community for their assistance.

 

June 15, 2022 Update

As of Wednesday morning, three of the juvenile suspects have been located and taken into custody. Investigators are continuing to search for the 15-year-old male.

Anyone with knowledge of the case or the suspect’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551, or contact Investigator C. Laffon at claffon@hickorync.gov.

The Hickory Police Department thanks the community for their assistance in this case.

 

June 14, 2022 Update

Hickory Police Investigators are searching for four juvenile suspects relating to the murder Shonniel Blackburn, 35, of Hickory who was found dead at Blue Ridge Heights Apartments on Monday. Juvenile petitions for murder have been issued for three 16-year-old males and one 15-year-old male.

Under North Carolina State Law, the Hickory Police Department cannot release information to the public that would identify the suspects due to their age.

HPD has provided information to other law enforcement agencies and all pertinent entities that North Carolina law allows. In addition, the juvenile suspects have been entered into the National Crime Information Center as wanted persons. Investigators are also working with Catawba County Juvenile Services as we attempt to locate and take the suspects into custody.

Anyone with knowledge of the case or the suspects’ whereabouts is asked to contact the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551, or contact Investigator C. Laffon at claffon@hickorync.gov.

 

June 13, 2022

The Hickory Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred at Blue Ridge Heights Apartments Monday afternoon.

Hickory officers responded to the 900 block of 1st Street SW at approximately 12:30 p.m.  Upon arrival, officers found a black male lying on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound.

Catawba County EMS attempted lifesaving procedures and then later pronounced the victim deceased on the scene.

The victim was identified as Shonniel Blackburn, 35, of Hickory.

Investigators are now searching for a suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551, or contact Investigator C. Laffon at claffon@hickorync.gov.