City of Concord, NC - Police Department

We've arrested 17-year-old Keshaun Tirrell Degraffenreid of Charlotte, North Carolina in connection with a homicide that occurred on Bedlington Drive NW early Monday morning.

At 12:39 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026, police were dispatched to a home on Bedlington Drive NW in Concord for a reported assault with injury. When officers arrived, they located two victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. One victim, a 47-year-old man, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The second victim, a 16-year-old girl, was transported to the hospital.

The preliminary investigation indicates the suspect and 16-year-old victim were dating and had an argument that escalated into an assault. The 47-year-old victim was shot while attempting to intervene. The suspect fired multiple rounds during the incident, seriously injuring the 16-year-old victim. Officers located the suspect on a nearby street and after a brief foot chase, officers apprehended Degraffenreid.

Degraffenreid is being charged as an adult. He is charged with one count of first degree murder (N.C.G.S. 14-17), one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury (N.C.G.S. 14-32 (a)), misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (N.C.G.S. 14-32.5), resisting officers (N.C.G.S. 14-223 (a)), possession of ma*****na (N.C.G.S. 90-95), and possession of drug paraphernalia (N.C.G.S. 90-113.22).

In a major cold case breakthrough, the Concord Police Department has identified a suspect in the nearly 18-year-old homicide case, commonly known as the Sun Drop Murders.

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Concord Police Department (PD) obtained a warrant for the arrest of 43-year-old Johnny Steven Talbert of Port Angeles, Washington. He was arrested later the same day by the Port Angeles Police Department and taken into custody without incident. Talbert is charged with two counts of first-degree murder (N.C.G.S. 14-17) and one count of robbery with a firearm or other dangerous weapon (N.C.G.S. 14-87). He is currently being held without bail in the Clallam County Jail in Washington State.

Talbert was arrested and charged in connection with the 2008 double homicide and robbery that occurred at the Sun Drop Bottling Company in Concord.

At approximately 10 a.m. on June 13, 2008, officers with the Concord PD responded to a reported shooting inside the Sun Drop Bottling Company, located at 360 Old-Salisbury Concord Road near the intersection with Branchview Drive and Cabarrus Avenue. Responding officers located two gunshot wound victims, 59-year-old Donna Barnhardt, and 44-year-old Darrell Noles, who were pronounced deceased at the scene. Barnhardt was the long-time office manager for the Sundrop Bottling Company and Noles was there to apply for a job.

Detectives with Concord PD’s Criminal Investigation Division were called to investigate and spoke with multiple witnesses. Witnesses reported seeing a black man with a slender build, approximately 5’7” to 6’ tall, and weighing approximately 170 to 180 pounds, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, leaving the scene on foot in the direction of Cabarrus Avenue.

Detectives believe the suspect shot and killed the victims and stole money from the front office before fleeing the scene.

Officers canvassed the area in the moments and hours that followed the incident, collecting additional evidence and statements. Based on witness descriptions, a composite sketch of the suspect was released in September 2008.

Despite thoroughly investigating hundreds of tips from the community, the case remained unsolved. In the years that followed, detectives with Concord PD continued to investigate and submit evidence for lab tests as technology evolved.

A break came in late 2025. Through a meticulous reexamination of evidence and the pursuit of previously undeveloped leads, detectives uncovered critical information that ultimately led to Talbert’s arrest.

On December 19, 2025, detectives with Concord PD contacted the Port Angeles Police Department about Talbert.

Working with the Port Angeles Police Department, detectives from Concord PD traveled to Port Angeles, Washington on May 18, 2026, for further investigation.

Talbert was arrested in Port Angeles, Washington on May 21, 2026, and is currently awaiting extradition to Concord where he will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of robbery with a firearm.

Concord PD would like to thank the Port Angeles Police Department and the community for their assistance throughout the decades-long investigation.

The families of Donna Barnhardt and Darrell Noles have been informed of Talbert’s arrest and the pending charges. Concord PD requests the media and public respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time as they continue to grieve the loss of their loved ones.

This remains an active investigation and to protect the integrity of the case and pursuit of justice for Donna and Darrell, no further information will be released.

The Concord PD continues to encourage anyone with additional information to call 704-920-5000 or 704-93-CRIME to remain anonymous.

During National Police Week, join us in recognizing our newest sworn officers! We recently welcomed 12 new officers to our department - 8 who transferred from other law enforcement agencies and 3 who recently competed Basic Law Enforcement Training.

The new officers are: Brendan Boaz, Jarryd Brown, Jaxon Cummings, Jacob Dontrell, Adam Glayzer, William Kuhl, Patrick Lynch III, Kayla Sorensen, Rebecca Stanton, Joseph Suco, and Brandon Tingle.

👏 Congratulations and welcome to Concord PD!

Join us in congratulating Major Patrick Tierney on receiving the prestigious Robert J. Eury Award!

The Robert J. Eury Award is the highest honor in local law enforcement. It is given to an officer with at least 20 years of service who demonstrates exceptional commitment to law enforcement and service to the community. The award honors the memory of Lt. Eury who was killed in the line of duty while honorably protecting the people of Cabarrus County.

On Friday, April 24, we arrested 17-year-old Yanixan Arellanes Silva in connection with a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of Hartsell Park in Concord.

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 5:23 p.m., the Concord Police Department responded to a reported shooting in the back parking lot area of Hartsell Park located off Sunderland Road SW in Concord. When police arrived, they located two gunshot wound victims. One 16-year-old male victim was transported to the hospital where he continues to receive care, and a second 16-year-old male victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, 17-year-old Yanixan Arellanes Silva, arranged to meet with the victims to purchase an item they were selling through social media. A brawl broke out and the suspect fired a gun at the victims, killing one and seriously injuring a second.

Silva is being charged as an adult. He is charged with first degree murder (N.C.G.S. 14-17), assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill (N.C.G.S. 14-32 (c)), two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury (N.C.G.S. 14-32(a)), and with failure to report a death (N.C.G.S. 14-401.22 (a)).

Anyone with additional information about this case is encouraged to call the Concord Police Department at 704-920-5000 or to leave an anonymous tip, call the Cabarrus Area Crime Stoppers at 704-93 CRIME or 704-932-7463.

We’re currently investigating a shooting that occurred around 5:23 p.m. in the back parking lot area for Hartsell Park located off Sunderland Road SW in Concord. One victim is deceased and a second victim was transported to the hospital. This is believed to be an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community.

The park will be closed for the remainder of the evening due to the police investigation.

This is an active investigation, and more information will be released as it becomes available.

It was an honor to participate in yesterday’s Pinwheel Ceremony, hosted by the District Attorney’s Office, and stand alongside our partners across Cabarrus County, united in our mission to prevent child abuse and support safe communities where children can thrive.

After the ceremony, our officers placed blue and silver pinwheels throughout the City as a symbol of hope and prevention to honor child abuse victims and bring awareness to our community.

Join us in wishing a Happy Administrative Professionals’ Day to Shannon, Crystal, and Cheryl!

They work hard behind the scenes to keep our police department running smoothly and provide great service to our community. Their dedication, professionalism, and attention to detail doesn’t go unnoticed. We appreciate them and all they do for our team!

The Office of the State Medical Examiner provided preliminary findings on the death of 18-year-old Yadira Hernandez Castro. The medical examiner’s preliminary report indicates the cause of death as exposure to extreme cold conditions with alcohol listed as a contributing circumstance.

The medical examiner’s preliminary report indicates there were no signs of physical assault or trauma. The preliminary report also found superficial bruises and cuts consistent with video evidence showing Hernandez Castro climbing fences, stumbling, and falling while trying to walk through heavy snow.

“It’s been a heartbreaking week for the Hernandez Castro family and our community. Yadira was a young woman with so much life ahead of her, a life that tragically ended too soon. Thank you to the community and the family for assisting our department in the search and helping to locate Yadira. We ask the community to join us in continuing to hold the Hernandez Castro family close and support them and their privacy as they grieve during this unimaginable loss of their beloved daughter and sister,” said Concord Police Chief Jimmy Hughes.

The Concord Police Department met with the Hernandez Castro family to review the preliminary medical examiner’s report, and share videos and photos from the evening, and answer their questions.

With permission from the family, the Concord Police Department is sharing the following additional facts from the case to help ease concerns from the community and clarify questions and misinformation.

- Hernandez Castro reportedly left her house around 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, to hang out with a friend but did not return home.

- Her family last spoke with her on the phone around 10:50 p.m. on Saturday, January 31.

- After additional attempts to call her later that night with no response, the family went out looking for her that night and again early in the morning on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

- Not finding her, the family reported Hernandez Castro missing to the Concord Police Department around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

- Upon receiving the report from the family, the Concord Police immediately began investigating Hernandez Castro’s whereabouts, including speaking to friends, family, and neighbors, and looking at available phone and video footage. During this same time, many members of the community and the Hernandez Castro family continued actively searching for Yadira.

- Video evidence shows Hernandez Castro was outside traveling on foot alone in the areas of Pine Street, Kerr Street, Crowell Drive, and Academy Avenue from approximately 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, when she reportedly left her friend’s house, until she was last seen on video in the area of Ervin Avenue and Academy Avenue around 1 a.m. on Sunday, February 1.

- Video evidence shows Hernandez Castro was wearing several layers of clothing, and shows her climbing fences, stumbling, and falling while walking in heavy snow. This is consistent with the superficial bruises and cuts from the medical examiner’s preliminary report and believed to be how one layer of her clothes ripped.

- Video evidence shows Hernandez Castro was outside for several hours during extreme cold temperatures.

- According to the National Weather Service Greenville–Spartanburg office, temperatures in the Concord area between 10:35 p.m. on January 31 and 1:55 a.m. on February 1, 2026, averaged 19.4 degrees. Weather conditions during this period included snowfall and wind speeds between 6 to 16 miles per hour, with gusts reaching up to 23 miles per hour. Based on these conditions, the wind chill was estimated to range between 5 and 11 degrees during the same timeframe.

Out of respect for the family, the Concord Police Department will not be sharing any further information on this case, which remains active pending the final report from the medical examiner.