On the evening of February 9, 2026, Joseph Michael "Joey" Adams, a 41-year-old man from Garner, North Carolina, was fatally shot while driving his car on Timber Drive, just minutes away from his home. A devoted husband and a proud father of five, Adams was on his way home from his job as a Hydrovac Operator for Badger Daylighting, a career he was proud of.
His sudden death sent shockwaves through his family and the local community, leaving his loved ones grappling with the "why" behind the violent act.
The Garner Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the shooting, appealing to the public for any information that could lead to an arrest. They specifically requested dashcam footage from vehicles that were in the area around the time of the incident and set up a dedicated tip line. The community responded, and through a combination of evidence analysis and tips, investigators identified a suspect.
A significant breakthrough in the case came when authorities located the suspect, 26-year-old Solomon Thomas Owens of Durham, at a residence in Raleigh. On the evening of February 20, 2026, as a team of SWAT officers attempted to serve a warrant, a tense and violent confrontation unfolded. Owens opened fire on the officers, injuring one. The officer was struck in the head, but was saved by his ballistic helmet. Owens was also injured in the exchange of gunfire and was taken into custody following the shootout. Both the officer and Owens were treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and subsequently released.
Following his arrest, Solomon Owens was charged with the murder of Joseph Adams. In addition to the murder charge, he faces a litany of other serious felonies stemming from the shootout with police, including attempted first-degree murder and multiple counts of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm. Court documents revealed that Owens has a violent criminal history and gang affiliations. He is currently being held in the Wake County Jail without bond. While an arrest has been made, the motive for the killing of Joseph Adams remains unclear, with the investigation still in its early stages. The family of Joey Adams expressed their gratitude to the Garner and Raleigh Police Departments for their tireless efforts in bringing the suspect to justice, hoping it will bring them a measure of peace and closure.
