Homicide Investigation Rutherford County

Rutherford County -- July 25, 2023: The Forest City Police Department is currently investigating, in cooperation with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, a homicide that occurred on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

This homicide has been determined to be related to another shooting that the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded to on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

 In the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 12, 2023, deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded to 276 Chase High Road following a report of gunfire at that address. When deputies arrived, they discovered the home had been struck several times. It was also determined that none of the occupants of the home were injured during the shooting.
 
Shortly after 4:30 pm on Thursday, July 13, 2023, officers with the Forest City Police Department responded to 309 Harmon Street following a report of gunfire at that residence. When officers arrived, they discovered one victim in the front yard of the home suffering from several gunshot wounds. This victim has been identified as Brandon Gerard Holland, a resident at 309 Harmon Street. Mr. Holland was pronounced deceased at the scene. A second victim identified as Haley Elizabeth Davis, a resident of Forest City, was also located. Ms. Davis was also suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and was airlifted from the scene to Spartanburg Regional Hospital. As of this release Ms. Davis is expected to recover from her injuries.
 
As detectives and officers with the police department began to process the crime scene and canvas the neighborhood for any potential witnesses, they learned that the suspected shooter was most likely a black male dressed in dark clothing. They also learned that the suspect arrived on the scene on foot and fled the scene on foot towards Hill Street. Additionally, the suspect was believed to have fled the neighborhood in a grey four door Ford Fusion. 

In collaboration with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office and the NC State Bureau of Investigation following the processing of the crime scene at 309 Harmon Street, it was determined, based on physical evidence at both scenes, that the shooting at 276 Chase High Road and 309 Harmon Street were in fact related incidents.
 
The Forest City Police Department is actively following up on investigative leads and continues to ask for public assistance in identifying the suspect or suspects in both violent shooting incidents from this week.

Press Release Homicide Investigation (**UPDATED to include photo of actual suspect vehicle**)
 The public is asked to contact Detective D. Radford with the Forest City Police Department with any information at 828-245-5555. Information can also be sent to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office at 828-287-6303 or Rutherford County Communications at 828-286-2911. Citizens can also utilize the Forest City Police Departments mobile application to submit information or Rutherford County Crime Stoppers can be contacted at 828-286-TIPS.