Hickory Resident Melvin Ramseur III Charged with Murder After Fatal Friday Night Shooting Identifies Local Victim

Hickory man Melvin Ramseur III faces first-degree murder charges after a Friday night shooting that killed Donnie Morgan. Get the latest crime updates here.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 14, 2026, 11:08 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Hickory Daily Record

Fatal Gunfire Erupts at Residential Complex

A quiet Friday evening in Hickory was shattered by violence as local law enforcement responded to reports of multiple gunshots at an apartment complex on 2nd Street Court Southwest. Upon arriving at the scene around 8:50 p.m. on March 13, officers discovered 36-year-old Donnie Morgan of Hickory deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. The immediate area was secured by the Hickory Police Department as investigators began the grim task of processing the crime scene and identifying witnesses to the targeted attack.

Suspect Apprehended in Rapid Multi-Agency Response

The investigation led to the swift identification and arrest of 26-year-old Melvin Chateau Ramseur III, a Hickory resident who now faces severe felony charges. According to court records and jail listings, Ramseur was taken into custody on Saturday morning and charged with one count of first-degree murder alongside one count of attempted first-degree murder. The apprehension involved a joint effort between the Hickory Police Department and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, who utilized local detention records to secure the suspect shortly after the incident was reported.

Survivor Conditions and Emergency Transport Efforts

While the attack claimed the life of Morgan, two additional victims survived the initial gunfire but required urgent medical intervention. Emergency responders from Burke County EMS and local fire units assisted at the scene, transporting the injured individuals to nearby hospitals for specialized treatment. The current medical status of these survivors has not been publicly released by health officials, though they are confirmed to be residents of the Hickory and Conover areas. The impact of the shooting has sent ripples through the local community as families wait for updates on those recovering.