MOUNT AIRY, N.C. — A person is dead after a shooting at a Mount Airy business Wednesday.
Mount Airy Mayor Jon Cawley said there was a shooting at the Mayberry Mart on Riverside Drive and Pine Street around 8 a.m.
Mount Airy police said they arrived at the scene and found Agustin Alberto Villalon Luna, 39, dead with a gunshot wound to the head.
The suspect left the scene and Jones Intermediate, Mount Airy Middle School, the Community Central Office, Mount Airy High School were all placed on lockdown temporarily as police investigated.
Tharrington Primary School was placed in a hold.
Officers located Austin Tyler Hawks, 26, near the scene of the shooting and identified him as the shooter around 9:12 a.m.
Hawks was arrested and charged with murder.
He was placed under no bond.
He is being held at the Surry County Detention Center.
The Mount Airy Police Department was assisted by the Surry County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Airy Fire Department, Surry County Emergency Medical Services and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
The investigation is ongoing.
Mount Airy City Schools officials said the lockdowns and the hold were lifted at 9:15 a.m.
Mount Airy City Schools sent this call to parents about the incident:
Good morning, Mount Airy City Schools. I am calling to let you know that all students and staff members are safe. At approximately 8:30 am, there was an incident in the community that caused the Mount Airy Police Department to put Jones Intermediate, Mount Airy Middle School, and the Community Central Office into lockdown. Shortly after the initial call for lockdowns of these schools, Mount Airy High School went into a lockdown and Tharrington Primary School was placed in a hold. At no time were students and staff in danger. School officials have been in close communication with local law officials and the lockdowns and hold were lifted at 9:15 am. Staff members will be taking time to talk with students to answer questions and concerns. Staff members will not be sharing specifics of what happened in the community with students. We ask parents to talk with their children this evening so children can understand the continued importance of safety drills. We are thankful for law enforcement and their swift action to protect students by utilizing lockdowns. Students and staff did an excellent job today.
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