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At 2:43 this afternoon, CMPD officers responded to Moe's Southwest Grill located at 1512 East Boulevard (Dilworth area) in reference to a shooting which occurred inside the restaurant. Two men were shot and both died as a result of the shooting.At the time of the shooting, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Deputies were conducting a funeral procession escort when one Deputy was flagged down by a witness who advised him of the shooting. Other Deputies & CMPD Officers responded to assist. The suspect was arrested by a Sheriff Deputy a short distance from the shooting scene.
Deputies and Officers discovered two men shot inside of the restaurant. Vincent Patrick Ferens (Top R) was transported to Carolinas Medical Center and died shortly after arrival. Jeffrey Philip Maher (Middle) died at the scene. Vincent Ferens was a Managing Partner at Moe's and Jeffrey Maher was an Assistant Manager.The suspect, Derrick Lamont Gregory, (Bottom R) was a former employee of Moe's who was fired from his job several weeks ago. At the time of the shooting, the restaurant was occupied by several customers but nobody else was hurt during the shooting. Gregory has been charged with two counts of Murder.
Derrick Gregory does not have a criminal record in North Carolina and he was issued a gun permit in Mecklenburg County in March. Police say they were called to Moe's on September 13th, the day Gregory was fired. Apparently, he did not leave silently and caused a big ruckus on his way out the door. He was not arrested and left when officers arrived.Moe’s corporate office has also set up a memorial fund for the men’s families. You can donate at any Wachovia location (Account #200040718114) or mail a donation to Wachovia Bank, Attn: Michael Davis, 171 17th Street, Mail Code GA4517, Atlanta, GA, 30363.
Vincent Ferens was a coach for his son's North Lake Mighty Mite football team. The Optimist Club is accepting donations to the 'Coach Vinnie Family Fund', set up to help Ferens' wife and three children. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 1475, Denver, NC 28037