On 10/7/2024, at approximately 11:25 AM, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office responded to 5319 Mountain View
Blvd. in Morganton. Burke County EMS initially responded and requested the Burke County Sheriff’s Office to
respond in reference to a shooting death. Deputies arrived on the scene and found Joel Lynn McNabb, 69, of the
home, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. Shortly after law enforcement arrived on the scene, 34 year old Teddy Justin
Rathbone of Black Mountain was identified as the suspect. The investigation led to warrants being issued on Rathbone for murder. At
approximately 5:30 PM, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office located Rathbone and took him into custody.
Rathbone was charged with felony 1st degree murder and is being held without bond at the Burke County Jail.
