A North Carolina furniture manufacturer has been charged with murder after authorities say he fatally shot his business partner just hours after a judge ruled against him in a contract dispute.
According to Fox News, Willard Gary Black, 85, is accused of killing Robert Roger Arguelles, 59, on Wednesday at the Old Hickory Tannery, a business the two men co-owned. Black has been charged with second-degree murder.
Investigators said officers responded to the business after reports of a Shooting and found Arguelles suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest and back. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooting came the same day a judge ordered Black to pay Arguelles $310,882.74 to resolve a years-long legal dispute between the two business partners.
Court records show the disagreement stemmed from a 2018 business transaction in which Black sold Arguelles a 49.9% ownership stake in the company.
Arguelles later claimed he had loaned Black $280,000 and alleged that only $23,876.19 of that amount had been repaid.
The two men eventually reached a settlement requiring Black to pay Arguelles $310,882.74. After the agreement was filed with the court, however, Black attempted to withdraw his consent.
On Wednesday, a judge rejected that request and ordered Black to comply with the original settlement, according to court records.
Authorities said the two men became involved in an argument at the tannery later that day. Investigators allege the confrontation escalated into gunfire, leaving Arguelles dead.
Black was taken into custody and now faces a charge of second-degree murder.
Arguelles was remembered by community members not only for his business career but also for his service to local education.
In a statement following his death, District Superintendent Bill Griffin described Arguelles as “an amazing father, husband, and board member who has faithfully supported our school system for almost four years.”
Griffin also expressed support for Arguelles’ family as they cope with the loss.
“In honor of his memory, our district fully supports and respects the family’s privacy as they navigate this profound loss,” he said.
The investigation into the Shooting remains ongoing as authorities continue to review the circumstances surrounding the deadly confrontation.