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Identity confirmed in weekend slaying Teen could face life imprisonment By COURTNEY MARTIN, LTN Staff Writer March 27, 2002 - Lincolnton Police detectives have confirmed the identity of a man shot to death Friday in the parking lot of Winn-Dixie Marketplace on N.C. 27 West. Juan Rojo Vega, 26, who was living off Roseland Drive in Lincolnton, was shot several times while in his vehicle around 8:30 p.m. Friday. Initially, police were not sure of his identity because he has used several different names in the past. Police have charged Saulo Rangel Orozco, 16, of 1788 Noah Path, Conover, with first degree murder in the shooting. Witnesses said Orozco shot at Vega six times, went back to his car, reloaded his revolver and shot again. According to police and witness accounts, Orozco then picked up two other people in his Mitsubishi and led police, sheriff’s deputies and highway patrol troopers on an eight-mile chase through Boger City and east on N.C. 27. The vehicle turned and headed west, returning toward Lincolnton when it was finally stopped on N.C. 27 near John Deere Lawn and Ga rden Equipment. Police had referred to two “groups” of Hispanics that appeared to be involved in the incident, but said Tuesday the slaying was not gang violence. “The murder was not gang related,” said Det. Dean Abernathy. “It was a domestic issue.” While Vega and Orozco did not know each other, they were acquainted with the same girl, said Abernathy. Detectives are still trying to determine the exact relationship between the three. Orozco could face life in prison if convicted. He cannot be given the death penalty because of his age, said Assistant District Attorney Rick Shaffer. Orozco remained in the Lincoln County Jail today. No bond has been set. At Orozco’s first appearance in District Court Monday, Judge Larry Wilson appointed Lincolnton attorney Marty Shuford to represent him. Vega’s death marked the first murder for Lincoln County in 2002. The last murder was the stabbing death of 20-year-old Jeremy Mauney on Dec. 22.
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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