On February 3, 2024, 48-year-old Rigoberto "Rigo" Mejia Gonzalez was fatally shot during a family gathering at his home on Virginia Drive in Lexington, North Carolina. The assailant, identified as 39-year-old Zackary Lee Plowman from Rural Hall, approached the residence and opened fire, injuring Mejia, his son Miguel Mejia Couto, and another individual named Anthony Fritts. Mejia succumbed to his injuries on February 5, while his son Miguel remained in critical condition.
Following the shooting, Plowman engaged in a series of criminal activities. He broke into Community Fellowship Moravian Church, where he spent the night. The next morning, he held the pastor and his wife at knifepoint before stealing their vehicle. Law enforcement apprehended Plowman later that evening on Old Greensboro Road.
Plowman was initially charged with multiple offenses, including attempted murder and kidnapping. After Mejia's death, the charges were upgraded to murder. At the time of the incident, Plowman was on pretrial release for a previous homicide in Forsyth County. His criminal history includes a second-degree murder conviction in 2007, for which he served over a decade in prison.
The Mejia family, deeply affected by the tragedy, organized fundraisers to cover funeral and medical expenses. They also held demonstrations seeking justice for Rigo and Miguel, emphasizing their desire for answers and accountability. Community members gathered to support the family, highlighting the impact of the incident on the local community.
