Two people shot at North Carolina soda bottling plant

by Amy Judd | June 13, 2008 at 09:58 am

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UPDATE: 5:53PM EST

The two men that were shot have been identified. The gunman is still at large.

Police in Concord have identified the two people fatally shot at a soda bottling plant about 25 miles north of Charlotte.

Concord deputy police chief Guy Smith says 59-year-old Donna Barnhardt and 44-year-old Darrell Noles were killed Friday morning at the Sun-drop Bottling Co.

Authorities continue to hunt for the gunman.

Smith said the shooter walked into the plant's office around 10 a.m. during what they believe was a robbery. He said two employees who did not hear the gunshots later found the victims' bodies and called 911.

Smith said Barnhardt had worked at the company for 18 years. Noles was not an employee. A family member said Noles was there to apply for a part-time job.

Two people have been shot dead at a soda bottling plant in Charlotte, North Carolina and the shooter remains at large.

Concord police Sgt. Lisa Linker says there is no immediate word on the condition of those shot Friday at the Sun-drop Bottling Co. in Concord, which manufactures soft drinks and spring water.

Linker says the shooter ran away. Police are using dogs and helicopters to search the area about 25 miles north of Charlotte.

updates on the shooting

Concord police are investigating a double homicide that they believe was the result of a robbery.

Officers said two people were shot to death at the Sun Drop Bottling Company near the intersection of Branch View Drive and Cabarrus Avenue about 10 a.m.

An employee heard several shots, ran into the front office and saw the victims, said Concord Deputy Chief Guy Smith. The employee said he then saw a man running away carrying a cash box.

Concord Police Sgt. Lisa Linker said police are using dogs and helicopters to search the area.

"We have 25 to 30 investigators who are following every lead," Smith said. "When someone is carrying a box from the scene, you want to talk to them."

The gunman is described as a black man with dreadlocks, who was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

One of the victims worked at the company, Smith said. Police have released no other information about the victims, and said they don't know the shooter's identity or if there was a relationship between the shooter and the victims.