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Man killed in Winn-Dixie parking lot By COURTNEY MARTIN, LTN Staff Writer March 25, 2002 - A Lincoln County man was fatally shot in the parking lot of Winn-Dixie Marketplace on N.C. 27 West Friday night. A man identified as Juan Rojo Vega, 26, was shot about four times around 8:30 p.m. while in his Nissan Pathfinder. Vega was taken to Lincoln Medical Center and pronounced dead upon arrival. Saulo Rangel Orozco, 16, allegedly shot at Vega several times. According to a witness, he went back to his car, reloaded his revolver and shot again. Police records are unclear whether Orozco is from Hickory or Conover. Orozco was charged with first degree murder and several traffic violations. He was placed in the Lincoln County Jail. No bond was set. Orozco appeared in Lincoln County District Court today before Judge Larry Wilson who advised him that, if convicted, he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. Wilson appointed Lincolnton attorney Marty Shuford to represent him. A Winn-Dixie employee saw the incident unfold in the back left area of the parking lot. “I heard the bangs and I thought some kids were shooting pop guns,” said the witness, who asked not to be named. “I turned around and saw the man shooting and fire coming out the end of the gun. “I just wanted to get back inside the store so I wouldn’t get shot,” the witness said. He ran back in the store and yelled to fellow employees to call 911. Orozco got into his Mitsubishi and picked up two other individuals who were in front of the store, said witnesses. The three drove east on N.C. 27 toward Lincolnton. A city officer spotted the car on the courtsquare and a chase ensued. Police, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers pursued the vehicle about eight miles through Boger City and east on N.C. 27. The vehicle turned and headed west, returning toward Lincolnton. Several tactics were used to attempt to stop the suspects including parking a tanker truck across N.C. 27. Finally, the troopers put out “stop sticks” — pieces of plastic with metal spikes — across N.C. 27 East, near John Deere Lawn and Garden Equipment. The tires on the suspect’s Mitsubishi blew out, stopping the car. Officers said three suspects ran from the scene. Only two were caught. The victim and suspect did not know each other, according to officers, who describe the shooting as part of an ongoing conflict between two groups of people. Officers are not certain of the victim’s name or of exactly where he lives. Vega apparently is one of several names he uses. “The case is still under investigation,” said Det. Dean Abernathy. “There may be more arrests.” |
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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