The homicide happened Friday night, October 23, 2026, around 8:30 at a shopping plaza on West Main Street in Spindale, North Carolina.
According to witness statements to the Spindale Police Department, the victim, Wesley Tracy Rhodes, was acting erratically and appeared to try to get into a woman's vehicle.
A worker and part-owner of a local business, who said he was carrying a firearm for protection, asked Rhodes to leave the parking lot. Rhodes briefly left, but then returned.
Video footage reportedly shows Rhodes exchanging words with the suspect, lunging at him, and possibly striking him. The suspect then fired one shot during the altercation, killing Rhodes.
No charges have been filed at this time as the investigation continues.
Detectives with the Spindale Police Department are investigating a homicide that occurred on 10/23/2026 just after 8:30 pm at 239 W Main St in Spindale, NC. Officers located Wesley Tracy Rhodes suffering from one gunshot wound in front of the shopping plaza after numerous 911 calls were made. Tragically, Mr. Rhodes was deceased.
Before the incident, several witnesses described Mr. Rhodes as acting irrationally, prompting one patron attending a Zumba class to text a group chat asking someone to meet her outside the business and escort her inside. A witness later described Rhodes approaching another female's vehicle as she arrived for the Zumba class, approaching her door and possibly trying to gain entry to the vehicle. Mr. Rhodes was then confronted by the suspect, a worker and part-owner to a local business, and asked to leave the parking lot since he was making others feel uncomfortable. Mr. Rhodes briefly walked away from the area before returning, approaching the suspect once more while yelling and screaming.
The suspect, who stated that he was carrying his firearm for protection, was standing in front of the shopping plaza, directly before the entrances of the business. According to video footage of the incident, Mr. Rhodes then animatedly approached the suspect, and after an exchange of words, Mr. Rhodes lunged at the suspect, appearing to strike him. The suspect then fired one shot during the altercation, striking Mr. Rhodes and ultimately killing him.
The suspect has been cooperative with law enforcement, and at this moment, no charges have been filed.
The investigation is ongoing and, at its conclusion, will be presented to the Rutherford County District Attorney’s Office for a determination as to whether charges will be filed. Spindale Police Department would like to thank the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherfordton Police Department, and the Tri-City Violent Crimes Task Force for their speedy assistance in both the investigation and initial response.
