A fatal shooting in Hickory Monday (May 15) is under investigation. The deceased is 46-year-old Wade McArthur Danner, Jr.

On Monday, shortly before 6 p.m., the Hickory Police Department’s Communication Center received multiple 911 calls from residents at Wimberly Crossing Apartments on 12th Avenue SE. The callers said that a man had been shot and was lying on the porch of an apartment at the P building. Upon arrival, officers found Wade McArthur Danner, Jr. lying on the porch of an apartment with gunshot injuries. Catawba County EMS responded and pronounced Danner deceased at the scene.

Witnesses told police that Danner had been involved in a verbal altercation with another man identified as 30-year-old Octavius Dontae Morgan, who reportedly shot Danner. Morgan fled the area prior to officers arriving. Investigators obtained a warrant for first-degree murder for Morgan and they were searching for him.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Octavius Morgan or details on this case is encouraged to call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551 or contact Investigator C. Sutton directly at 828-261-2614 or csutton@hickorync.gov.