Full Notification

Circumstance: Pilot Travel Center Shooting

Date: March 16, 2025

Time: 2:54 AM

Location: Pilot Travel Center
3365 Sugar Hill Rd
Marion NC 28752

Victim(s): Christian Andrew Nelson
W/M 25 YOA
Marion, NC

Caleb Elijah McNeeley
W/M 20 YOA
Old Fort NC

Arrest: Noah Dakota Ramsey
W/M 25 YOA
Nebo, NC

Summary:

On Sunday March 16th at approximately 2:54 AM Marion Police Officers responded to a report of a dispute and shooting at Pilot Travel Center on Sugar Hill Road. When the initial responding officers arrived on scene, they learned the incident had taken place outside in the parking lot. Officers were also made aware that the victim as well as the suspect had already left the scene.

Through preliminary investigation and video footage the suspect, identified later as Noah Dakota Ramsey, and the victim Christian Nelson had met at Pilot to settle a dispute. Ramsey at some point during the dispute produced a 9mm handgun and began firing at Nelson and Nelson's friend, Caleb McNeeley, who were standing in the parking lot near the store.

After firing the weapon, Ramsey fled the scene in a vehicle being driven by his girlfriend, Michelle Honeycutt of Old Fort. Nelson and McNeeley also left he scene prior to officers arriving, to seek medical attention, due to Nelson being struck by rounds from the handgun.

After a quick visit to Mission McDowell Hospital, officers located Nelson and learned he had sustained at least two gunshot wounds, one in each leg. Nelson was treated and later released from the hospital for his injuries. McNeeley was not injured during the exchange.

After several hours, Ramsey and Honeycutt were also located and voluntarily came t the Marin Police Department to speak with officers about the incident. During the interviews officers also learned that Ramsey had assaulted Honeycutt, by hitting her while traveling to Pilot initially.

Ramsey was arrested and subsequently charged with the following:

1 count Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury

1 count Assault with a Deadly Weapon

1 count Discharging a Firearm in the City Limits

1 Count Assault on a Female

Ramsey was taken before a Magistrate where he was placed on a 48 hour hold and confined in the McDowell County Jail. No other parties were injured or struck by stray bullets during this incident