Hickory Police are investigating a homicide that occurred yesterday (August 9) at the Deluxe Inn on U.S. Highway 70 S.W. in Hickory.

Officers arrived at the hotel at 7:41 a.m. and found two men in room 203. 54-year-old James Anthony Russell was unconscious. Catawba County E.M.S. was called to the scene and determined Mr. Russell to be deceased. The reporting party, 41-year-old Brandon Keith Lovelace, was still on the scene when Officers arrived.

Investigators learned that Russell and Lovelace had previously been involved in a confrontation. Lovelace sustained injuries as a result of that confrontation and was transported by E.M.S. to a local hospital where he was released the same day.

As of this afternoon, no charges have been filed. Anyone with information regarding the on-going investigation should call Hickory Police at 828-328-5551 or contact Investigator Richard Helderman directly at 828-261-2621 or rhelderman@hickorync.gov.