Douglas Antonio Burgess, 46, was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds in a vehicle on Harpertown Drive in Lenoir, North Carolina. The shooting was reported on a Tuesday evening; deputies from the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office discovered Burgess deceased in the vehicle on August 23, 2022.

Investigators identified 49-year-old Fredrick Alvin Patterson of Lenoir as a suspect. After a warrant was issued, Patterson surrendered to Hickory Police on Thursday and was charged with murder; he was taken to the Caldwell County Detention Center held without bond and had an initial court appearance scheduled for the following day.

Burgess worked as a supervisor at Tyson Foods and is survived by his wife Ramona A. Burgess, children Douglas A. Burgess Jr., Samuel Burgess, Malaysia Lipford, and Malia Moore; brothers Barry J. Burgess Jr. and Thomas Burgess; and step-children Mary Moore, Grady Moore, and Xavier Moore. The motive for the shooting has not been reported.

If anyone witnessed the incident on Harpertown Drive or has information about what led to Burgess’s death, please come forward.