A Hickory man who was present during the April shooting near the Vault Bar and Lounge is facing criminal charges not connected to the incident.

Police reports say 27-year-old Patral Marquis White is charged with one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon and one misdemeanor count of marijuana possession up to point-5 ounces.

White reportedly fired shots into an occupied property on 20^th Street Northeast Wednesday causing property damage.

Hickory Police identified White as the suspect and arrested him during a vehicle stop.

He was issued a 50-thousand dollar secured bond.

Video surveillance from the shooting incident in April revealed White was present at the scene, however; he was not charged.

Six people have been charged in regard to the incident; although no one has been charged with the fatal exchange that claimed the life of Antonio Watts that night.

In recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, a group comprised of local organizations called ‘Burke Cares’ is establishing the annual I-Care tour for November 14^th.

The event will take place in the Resource Room of the Burke Mission Station at 305 West Union Street in Morganton from 8:30 am until 1:30 pm.

Participants will have the opportunity to see first-hand some of the services provided to Burke County residents through local non-profit agencies.

Attendees will get information on various agencies including Burke Recovery, Burke United Christian Ministries, The Meeting Place Mission, and others.

For event information, you can call 433-0681.

Burke Cares is comprised of local organizations who work together to identify and eliminate barriers to permanent housing for Burke residents.

A man charged with child sex crimes died while in custody at the Alexander County Detention Center last Sunday.

Reports say 30-year-old Tony Wayne Smith of Hickory was found by officials unresponsive with a bed sheet around his neck.

Attempts to revive Smith were unsuccessful.

Response teams from the Alexander Sheriff’s Office, Alexander EMS and Rescue, Taylorsville Fire and First Responders, and jail staff were present during rescue attempts.

Smith was in jail under a one-million dollar bond.