CABARRUS COUNTY, NC — The second suspect in the Interstate 85 rest area shooting that left a Gastonia father paralyzed is still on the run Thursday night.
Greg McKee is still in the hospital.
Deputies were able to arrest the first suspect, Darren Manuel, after he was caught on a private security camera, but no cameras caught two gunman running away after shooting.
“The state needs to do something,” said Terrie McKee.
She and her children found her husband on the bathroom floor after the shooting.
Cabarrus County Sheriff Brad Riley credits a private vending machine company’s camera for the one arrest his deputies have made.
“Absolutely. This is the perfect example of the state taking a look and spending resources on putting cameras into the facilities,” said Sheriff Riley.
WCCB Charlotte gathered records, and at exit 59 where McKee’s shooting happened, at least 36 people have called 911 for help since 2014. Most reported suspicious people.
There was one shots-fired call and McKee’s gunshot call.
That’s 1 of 61 rest stops the state would have to fit with cameras.
We asked the NC DOT why there are no state cameras, and if that is a possibility.
A spokesperson says DOT has discussed the idea before, but never moved forward because of bathroom privacy issues.
“In the lobbies of the rest room buildings,” said Terrie McKee. “Not in the rest room. Let’s not get into a whole privacy fiasco.”
There are at least two other rest stops in the greater Charlotte area. No cameras are inside. DOT says it has no plans to add surveillance.
“For me and my family, we will never stop a rest stop again. Never!” said Terrie McKee.
We are still waiting to hear back from the rest stop supervisor about the potential costs cameras would be to taxpayers.
