Shortly before 10:30 pm last night, two motel employees were shot by an armed robber at the Country Hearth Inn, located on Equipment Drive . One employee died at the scene and the other suffered serious injuries but is expected to survive.View News Videos- Includes surveillance video: WSOC-TV, WCNC, WBTV
Police say the two employees buzzed two men into the lobby of the motel and they pretended to inquire about renting a room. During the exchange, one of the suspects pulled a gun from behind his back and shot 63-year-old Larry Broughton, who was working behind the counter. He died at the scene.
The second victim is 55-year-old Manjula Patel, the motel owner’s wife. She had just come in to work the overnight shift when the robbery occurred. Mrs. Patel suffered serious gunshot wounds but is expected to be okay.
The motel is offering a $10,000 reward for the capture of the men responsible for the shooting & murder. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600.