A furniture manufacturer in North Carolina is facing serious charges after he allegedly shot and killed his business partner following a court ruling against him in a contract dispute.
Willard Gary Black, 85, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Robert Roger Arguelles, who was shot in both the chest and back on Wednesday. Reports indicate that the incident took place at their shared business, Old Hickory Tannery.
Earlier on the day of the shooting, a court ordered Black to pay $310,882.74 to Arguelles because of a contract disagreement between the two men. Court records reveal that in 2018, Black sold a 49.9% stake in the business to Arguelles, who claimed he lent Black $280,000, although only a fraction—around $23,876.19—had been repaid.
They had previously come to an agreement about the payment, but Black later attempted to retract his acceptance of the settlement.
The judge denied Black’s request that morning, maintaining the original payment order. Later on, an argument erupted between the pair inside the store, which escalated into the fatal shooting. When police arrived, they attempted to assist Arguelles, who unfortunately succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Arguelles was also a member of the Alexander County Schools board since 2022. District Superintendent Bill Griffin expressed his condolences, describing Arguelles as a “wonderful father, husband, and board member,” and noted his significant contributions to the school system over the years. Griffin emphasized the district’s commitment to honoring Arguelles’s memory while respecting his family’s privacy during this difficult time.
