On February 9, 2025, Mario Lamond “Chewy” Carson, a 42-year-old African American man from Marion, North Carolina, was fatally shot outside a Dollar General store located on Bat Cave Road in Old Fort. The incident, which occurred around 2:30 p.m., stemmed from a domestic dispute involving Carson and his daughter’s boyfriend. According to Old Fort Police Chief Melvin Lytle, the altercation escalated, resulting in two gunshots being fired, leading to Carson's death at the scene.
The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Jacob Daniel Stewart, also from McDowell County, was arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree murder. Authorities confirmed that Stewart was the sole suspect in the case, and no other individuals were involved. The Old Fort Police Department, in collaboration with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office and the State Bureau of Investigation, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Mario Carson was known for his vibrant personality and deep love for music and gaming. He was a devoted father to his three children and shared a close bond with his canine companion, Cerberus. His unexpected death marked the first homicide in Old Fort in over a decade, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
