Driver defies gunman at truck stop and gets shot multiple times, NC police say

A midday car crash at a North Carolina truck stop happened as the wounded driver was defying a gunman, according to investigators.

The “possible kidnapping” was reported around 1:15 p.m. Monday at the Love’s Travel Stop, near the intersection of Southfork Drive and U.S. 321 in Newton, police say.

“When officers arrived on scene, they located a vehicle that had struck a utility pole. Inside the vehicle was a man who had sustained several gunshot wounds and an infant who appeared uninjured,” police said in a May 11 news release.

“The man was removed from the vehicle, and life-saving efforts were started. He was transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, from which he was airlifted to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.”

Ronald David Rumley Jr., 27, of Marion, remains in critical condition, police said.

The infant and the infant’s mother, Shayla Connelly of Marion, were also taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police say.

“The preliminary investigation indicates the male victim came to the area to meet with another individual. Upon arriving at the travel stop, an armed gunman entered the backseat of the victim’s vehicle and pointed a gun at the victim,” police said.

“A second gunman attempted to pull a passenger from the vehicle. The victim began driving away, and the passenger was ejected from the vehicle.”

A 27-year-old suspect was arrested around 10:30 p.m. Monday in South Carolina, and investigators determined he is an acquaintance of the victim, officials say.

Jontavius Javez Littlejohn of Lincolnton has been charged with attempted first degree murder, assault inflicting serious bodily injury, possession of firearm by a felon and assault with a deadly weapon with a minor present, police said.

Details of a motive have not been released.

Newton is about a 40-mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte.

This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 11:21 AM with the headline "Driver defies gunman at truck stop and gets shot multiple times, NC police say."