North Carolina Shooting Leads to Arrest of Sexual Assault Suspect
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A man has been arrested on child sex crime charges after a shooting incident in Robeson County led law enforcement to uncover a separate and disturbing criminal case.
Shooting Sparks Larger Investigation
In the early hours of Thursday morning, deputies responded to reports of a shooting at a home located off North Carolina Highway 83, where they discovered 38-year-old Willie Christian suffering from a gunshot wound.
Christian was promptly transported to a nearby medical facility, and authorities confirmed his injuries were not life-threatening.
Suspect Arrested During Traffic Stop
Shortly after the shooting, investigators with the Maxton Police Department conducted a traffic stop and arrested 24-year-old Ashen J. Garcia Jr. in connection with the incident.
As the case developed, investigators uncovered evidence of a sexual assault, which led to additional serious charges being filed against Garcia.
Sex Crime Charges Filed
Garcia has now been charged with:
- Statutory sex offense with a child
- Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill
He is currently being held at the Robeson County Detention Center without bond, according to WMBF News.
Community Concerns Rise
The revelation of a child sex offense linked to the shooting has heightened community concerns in Robeson County, a region already grappling with public safety and law enforcement resource demands.
As investigations continue, authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
What do you think about how this case unfolded — from shooting to sex crime charges? Should law enforcement prioritize stronger background checks or earlier interventions? Share your thoughts in the comments below on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
