Adam Kale Wood, a 19-year-old male from Kings Mountain, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on February 19, 2021. Born in Shelby, NC, he was the son of Robert I Wood and Joy Sutton Wood. Adam, known as Kale, was a 2019 graduate of Bessemer City High School and was employed as a manager at Autobell in Gastonia. He enjoyed playing baseball, being outdoors, hunting, fishing, playing golf, and traveling with friends. He was also passionate about music and attending concerts.
On the night of February 18, 2021, Adam Kale Wood and another young man, Robert Lucas Gibby, 22, of Bessemer City, were found shot to death along a rural road in Gaston County, near Kings Mountain. The incident occurred during a marijuana sale, according to investigators. A third individual, Payton Lee Waggoner, 21, of Winston-Salem, survived the shooting by playing dead after being shot four times. He later arrived at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Three suspects were arrested in connection with the murders. Kaleb Isiah Carver, 21, of Taylorsville, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. Michael Shane Barnes, 19, of Taylorsville, faced the same charges. A 16-year-old female suspect, whose name was not released due to her age, was also arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. The suspects were believed to have left the scene in the same car after the shooting.
In court, Kaleb Carver requested bond, citing his lack of a criminal record and his responsibilities as a father, but his request was denied. The 16-year-old suspect may face charges as an adult. Payton Lee Waggoner, who survived the shooting, was also facing several drug charges. The investigation into the incident revealed that Adam Kale Wood and Robert Lucas Gibby were shot in the back. The case remains a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with illegal activities and the impact they can have on young lives.
