Arrest made in homicide investigation

On Saturday, November 5, 2022, at approximately 2:52 a.m., Hickory Police Officers responded to the 900 Block of Highland Avenue NE after receiving a 911 call from a citizen who was driving on Highland Avenue NE and observed a vehicle that had driven off the roadway. The caller advised there were two males inside the vehicle with gunshot wounds. Upon arrival, officers located the driver of a 2021 Kia Forte, Eric Rhynhart (42 years old) and the passenger, Khalil Rhynhart (20 years old) injured from gunshot wounds. Catawba County EMS responded and transported Eric Rhynhart to a local hospital and he is currently in stable condition. Khalil Rhynhart was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the initial investigation, it was determined that Eric Rhynhart and Khalil Rhynhart were shot while traveling north in the 500 block of Lenoir Rhyne Blvd SE by a suspect or suspects that fired multiple rounds into their vehicle. This is an on-going investigation and Investigators are working to identify suspects and determine a motive for the shooting.

**UPDATE** November 18, 2022

On November 17, 2022, Trevin Ali Brown (24 years old) was arrested with the assistance of the Granite Falls Police Department on a warrant for (1) count of Murder and (1) count of Attempted First Degree Murder in connection to the murder of Khalil Rhynhart and attempted murder of Eric Rhynhart. Brown is in custody at the Catawba County Jail under No Bond.

The Hickory Police Department is also searching for Jakeis Zamier Harris (B/M, DOB 8/30/2004) and Jalen Tremaine Crowell (B/M, DOB 4/22/1992), both of Hickory, on warrants for Murder in connection to this case.

Anyone with information regarding this on-going investigation is encouraged to call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551 or contact Investigator T. Johnson directly at 828-261-2619 or tjohnson@hickorync.gov.