A North Carolina furniture maker is facing allegations that he killed his longtime business partner this week, only hours after a court ruling went against him in a contract-related dispute.
Willard Gary Black, 85, has been charged with second-degree murder in the Wednesday shooting death of Robert Roger Arguelles, Queen City News reported. Investigators said Arguelles suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and back.
The fatal shooting happened at Old Hickory Tannery, the furniture business the two men jointly owned.
According to court records cited by Court TV, a judge had ordered Black earlier the same day to pay Arguelles $310,882.74 as part of an ongoing business dispute.
Black and Arguelles had shared business interests for several years. In 2018, Black sold Arguelles a 49.9% ownership stake in the company. Arguelles later claimed he had loaned Black $280,000, but said just $23,876.19 had been paid back, according to the report.
Black remains in custody in connection with the case while authorities continue their investigation.
Both men reached an agreement to settle the lawsuit for $310,882.74, but after filing the paperwork with the court, Black sought to withdraw his consent.
On Wednesday, a judge denied his request and ordered Black to pay Arguelles, 59, the amount of the original agreement.
A judge’s gavel rests on a wooden block with scales of justice and law books in a courtroom setting. (Brian A. Jackson/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Hours later, both men got into an argument at the business, which led to the shooting, authorities said. Police officers arrived and attempted to save Arguelles, who died at the scene.
Arguelles had served as an Alexander County Schools board member since 2022.
In a statement, District Superintendent Bill Griffin described Arguelles as an “amazing father, husband, and board member who has faithfully supported our school system for almost four years.”
“In honor of his memory, our district fully supports and respects the family’s privacy as they navigate this profound loss,” he added.
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