Hickory Police make arrests in homicide case at Sunny Valley Apartments

Hickory Police Investigators have arrested and charged two suspects related to the homicide case that began on March 20 after officers found Ontorio Nymier Metts, 23, of Hickory, deceased at Sunny Valley Apartments.

Davon Lavell Williams, 23, of Claremont, was charged with murder. Whitney Jana’e Gatewood, 34, of Hickory, was charged with accessory after the fact.

Investigators believe Williams and Metts were in a confrontation prior to the shooting at Sunny Valley Apartments. Gatewood assisted Williams in leaving the scene following the shooting.

Williams was taken into custody and is currently being held in Orange County.

HPD is asking for anyone with information about this case to please contact the department at 828-328-5551, or contact Investigator Richard Helderman at rhelderman@hickorync.gov or 828-261-2621.

March 21, 2022 Release:

The Hickory Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred Sunday night.

Around 10:47 p.m., officers with the Hickory Police Department heard multiple gunshots in the area of 3rd Avenue Southeast in Hickory. They responded and located a man suffering with multiple gunshot wounds in the common area of Sunny Valley Apartments.

The man, later identified as Ontorio Nymier Metts, 23, of Hickory, was pronounced dead on the scene. Hickory officers and EMS did attempt to provide medical aid to Metts.

Investigators are now searching for a suspect, or suspects, who may have been involved.

HPD is asking for anyone with information about this case to please contact the department at 828-328-5551, or contact Investigator Richard Helderman at rhelderman@hickorync.gov or 828-261-2621.