By Dave Faherty for WSOC
New court documents reveal why police and SBI agents went to the Pagans motorcycle clubhouse in Lenoir in connection with a homicide at the Outlaws clubhouse in Newton in June.
Two SWAT teams were deployed during the search.
“It sounded like a warzone,” said Jimmy Pittman, who lives nearby.
Neighbors said they awoke to the sound of explosions when the raid happened at about 4 a.m. on June 30.
Newly released court documents reveal that weeks earlier, a GMC Yukon “left from the Pagan motorcycle clubhouse and was used during the shooting and murder” at the Outlaws Clubhouse in Newton on June 8.
The SUV was recovered at a home in Goose Creek, South Carolina, and is now back in Catawba County.
Investigators’ first break in the case came the night of the homicide on the 911 call when someone in the background was heard describing a vehicle like the Yukon.
Investigators identified the Yukon from surveillance video near the Outlaws clubhouse in Newton.
This information led to the raid at the Pagans clubhouse in Lenoir.
“Get along,” Pittman said. “If you can’t get along, go somewhere else.”
Other cameras in the area spotted two other vehicles prior to the deadly shooting linked back to members of the Pagans in Lenoir, court documents said.
Pastor Rocky Dula’s church is across the street from the Pagans clubhouse. He said they’ve never had problems from the members.
“Give them the word of God,” said the Rev. Rocky Dula, Faith Tabernacle Church. “Pray for some of the families. Do whatever we can to be a light to the community.”
Members of the Pagans have made it clear they don’t want to talk with Channel 9.
Law enforcement was at their clubhouse for four hours and seized three handguns, cellphones and DVR surveillance equipment.