On July 17, 2023, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of gunfire at 3653 Fox Mountain Road in Mill Spring, North Carolina. Upon arrival, deputies discovered 45-year-old Robert "Bo" Forney deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses indicated that Forney had been involved in an altercation earlier that day with his son, 21-year-old Qualon Konter Sutton.
Investigators determined that an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle was used in the shooting, which occurred just outside the residence shared by Forney and Sutton. Based on evidence and witness statements, authorities obtained a first-degree murder warrant for Sutton. He was apprehended without incident around 10 p.m. that evening near the Polk-Rutherford county line, outside his mother's residence.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Sutton's brother, 29-year-old Jaleel Rayshawn Sutton, who confessed to being present during the shooting and to driving Qualon away from the scene. Jaleel was charged with accessory after the fact and held on a $1 million bond. Detectives recovered the AR-15 rifle used in the incident during a search of the Rutherford County home.
Both suspects were booked into the Polk County Detention Center. Qualon Sutton faced first-degree murder charges, while Jaleel Sutton was charged with accessory after the fact. The case was handed over to the 42nd Prosecutorial District Attorney's Office for prosecution. Authorities indicated that additional charges could be forthcoming for others involved in harboring Qualon after the shooting.
