MARION, NORTH CAROLINA — A tense manhunt came to an end Monday afternoon after state troopers in Burke County arrested Robert Owens, 40, of Marion, in connection with a shooting that injured Donovan Wilson, 31, of Marion, and involved Amber Lamb, 32, of Marion, and Megan Smith, of Marion, earlier that morning outside a local convenience store.
According to the Marion Police Department, at approximately 10:29 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025, officers were dispatched to a report of a dispute and shooting at CJ’s Convenience Store, located at 1660 North Main Street in Marion. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the shooting had taken place outside the store near the gas pumps and that both the suspect and victim had fled the scene in separate vehicles before law enforcement arrived.
Through a preliminary investigation and the review of surveillance footage, authorities determined that the suspect, Robert Owens, and the victim, Donovan Wilson, had encountered each other in the parking lot. The two men reportedly became involved in a heated argument stemming from an ongoing personal dispute.
At some point during the confrontation, Owens allegedly produced a small-caliber handgun and began firing at Wilson, who was attempting to drive away from the scene. Several shots were fired before Owens fled in a 2007 burgundy Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
Meanwhile, Donovan Wilson also left the area but was later located by responding Marion Police officers as he was driving away from the scene. Officers conducted a traffic stop and quickly discovered that Wilson had sustained a single gunshot wound to the upper body. Emergency personnel transported him to Mission Hospital in Asheville for treatment. His injuries were described as serious but non-life-threatening.
A passenger in Wilson’s vehicle, identified as Amber Lamb, 32, of Marion, was unharmed during the shooting.
Following the initial investigation, officers launched an extensive search for Robert Owens, coordinating with multiple agencies across the region. After several hours of searching, North Carolina Highway Patrol troopers in Burke County successfully located Owens as a passenger in a vehicle driven by Megan Smith, also of Marion. Owens was taken into custody without incident and transported back to McDowell County for processing.
Owens now faces several serious felony charges, including:
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury with Intent to Kill
- Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle
- Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
Following his arrest, Owens was transported to the McDowell County Magistrate’s Office, where he was denied bond and subsequently confined to the McDowell County Jail.
The Marion Police Department expressed gratitude to all assisting agencies, including the North Carolina Highway Patrol and Burke County law enforcement, for their cooperation and swift actions in helping to locate and apprehend Owens.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the dispute and the series of events that led to the shooting. Meanwhile, the community of Marion is once again reminded of the devastating consequences that violent confrontations can bring.
As of Monday evening, Donovan Wilson remains hospitalized and is receiving medical care, while Robert Owens awaits court proceedings for the charges filed against him.
The Marion Police Department encourages anyone with additional information related to the incident to contact them directly, as the investigation remains ongoing.
