Mooresville man convicted of 2011 attempted murder

Published 4:05 pm Monday, April 25, 2016

SALISBURY — A Mooresville man will spend up to 34 years in prison after being convicted this week of a 2011 attempted murder and other offenses.

Quentin Odell Mathis was convicted following a weeklong jury trial in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court, District Attorney Brandy Cook said in a news release.

The jury found Mathis guilty of one count of felony attempted first-degree murder, one count of felony assault with a deadly weapon intent to kill inflicting serious injury, one count of felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and one count of felony possession of a firearm by convicted felon.

The jury found Mathis not guilty of one count of felony attempted first-degree murder.

Judge Joseph N. Crosswhite sentenced Mathis to a minimum of 282 months (23.5 years) to a maximum of 348 months (29 years) in prison, along with a consecutive prison sentence of 42 months to 60 months. The sentences were ordered to begin following the expiration of the prison sentence Mathis is currently serving in the Department of Adult Corrections for felony assault on a detention officer resulting in serious injury.

According to the district attorney’s news release:

On May 7, 2011, deputies with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting at the Mooresville Dragway located on Wilkinson Road. Once deputies arrived, they found two victims had been shot. One victim was found lying in the road near the tower stand and the second victim was found near the concession stand. Both victims were airlifted from the area for further medical assistance.

During the investigation, authorities determined Mathis had been in an argument at the dragway with his child’s mother. According to his child’s mother, Mathis had recently threatened her. Due to the argument and previous threat, her boyfriend and his cousin walked her to the restroom. At this time, Mathis began arguing with her boyfriend. Witnesses stated Mathis pulled out a gun and shot his child’s mother’s boyfriend multiple times, and the boyfriend’s cousin was shot twice.

Cook said in the news release she appreciated “the hard work of Assistant District Attorney Kristina Scally in preparing the case for trial.” Cook also praised the investigation by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department and said the result of this case demonstrates her office’s “commitment to aggressively prosecuting violent criminals.”