North Carolina Business Shooting Incident

In a tragic incident this week, a furniture manufacturer in North Carolina has been accused of fatally shooting his business partner following a court ruling that did not go in his favor regarding a contract dispute.

Willard Gary Black, 85, faces charges of second-degree murder for the death of Robert Roger Arguelles, who suffered gunshot wounds to both the chest and back on Wednesday. The shooting took place at the Old Hickory Tannery, where both men were co-owners.

According to reports, earlier that same day, Black received a court order mandating him to pay Arguelles $310,882.74 following a disagreement concerning contract terms. This ruling seems to have escalated tensions between the two.

In a somewhat convoluted history, back in 2018, Black sold nearly half of his stake in the business to Arguelles. However, Arguelles claimed he had lent Black $280,000, of which only a fraction—around $23,876—had been repaid. The two had originally reached a settlement agreement regarding the contractual dispute, but Black later sought to withdraw that agreement.

On the day of the shooting, a judge denied Black’s request, maintaining the financial obligation. Shortly thereafter, in the store, an argument broke out between the two men that ultimately resulted in Black firing the fatal shots. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but despite their efforts, Arguelles was pronounced dead.

Arguelles had been a member of the Alexander County Schools board since 2022. In response to this shocking event, District Superintendent Bill Griffin praised Arguelles as a devoted father, husband, and board member, expressing deep condolences to the family. He emphasized the importance of respecting the family’s privacy as they navigate this significant loss.