FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Hickory Police Department
(HICKORY) – The Hickory Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at a Waffle House
on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting at the Waffle House at 1245 Hwy 321 NW around 2:50 a.m.
and located Jessica Marie Benge, 35, of Hickory, suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
Benge was transported to a local hospital from the scene.
Investigators determined Benge was in an altercation with Megan Gail Shook, 29, of Conover, and other
subjects in the parking lot of the business when she was shot. Shook left the scene prior to officers’
arrival and was located a short time later by Alexander County Sheriff’s Office.
Shook was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Inv.
Tammie Johnson at tjohnson@hickorync.gov or call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551.