***Update***
After several hours of looking for Owens in various locations with no success he was finally located in Burke County. Troopers with the North Carolina Highway Patrol located Owens as a passenger in a vehicle that was being driven by Megan Smith W/F of Marion. Owens was taken into custody without incident and transported back to McDowell County. Owens was charged with the following charges:
1 count - Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury with Intent to Kill
1 count – Discharging a Firearm into an occupied vehicle
1 count – Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
Owens was transported to the Magistrates office where he was not given a bond and confined to the McDowell County Jail. The Marion Police Department would like to thank all the agencies for their assistance in this case in the locating and apprehending the suspect.
Authority Chief Allen Lawrence
On Monday October 27, 2025 at approximately 10:29 AM Marion Police Officers responded to a report of a dispute and shooting at CJ’s Convenience Store located at 1660 North Main Street in Marion. When the initial responding officers arrived on scene they learned the incident had taken place outside in the parking lot near the gas pumps. Officers were also made aware that the victim as well as the suspect had already left the scene in separate vehicles.
Through preliminary investigation and video footage the suspect, identified later as Robert Owens W/M 40 yoa of Marion, and the victim, Donovan Wilson W/M 31 yoa also of Marion had encountered each other in the parking lot of the store. An argument ensued between the two due to an ongoing dispute. Owens at some point during the argument produced a small caliber handgun and began firing at Wilson who by this time was in his vehicle attempting to leave the scene.
After firing the weapon, Owens fled the scene in a 2007 burgundy Chevrolet Trail Blazer. Wilson also left the scene prior to officers arriving, but was located by Marion Police Officers while he was traveling away from the scene. Officers performed a traffic stop on Wilson and determined he had in fact been shot once in the upper body. He was immediately transported to Mission Hospital in Asheville to be treated for his injuries.
Wilson also had a passenger in his vehicle identified as Amber Lamb 32 yoa of Marion. Lamb was not injured during the shooting.
The Marion Police Department is currently trying to locate the suspect Robert Owens at this time. He should be considered armed and dangerous if encountered. If located or if anyone has any information of Owens whereabouts, please call McDowell County Communications Center at 828-652-4000.
More information will be released when available about this incident.
Authority Chief Allen Lawrence
