A dramatic turn of events unfolded this week in North Carolina, culminating in the arrest of an 85-year-old furniture manufacturer on a murder charge. Willard Gary Black faces a second-degree murder accusation following the fatal shooting of his business partner, Robert Roger Arguelles, 59. The incident occurred Wednesday at the Old Hickory Tannery, a business the two men co-owned.
Contract Dispute Precedes Fatal Encounter
The shooting followed a contentious contract dispute between Black and Arguelles. Court records indicate that earlier the same day, a judge ordered Black to pay Arguelles a significant sum of $310,882.74. This ruling stemmed from a financial disagreement where Arguelles had reportedly loaned Black $280,000 in 2018, with only a fraction of that amount being repaid. While the men had initially agreed to settle the lawsuit for the specified amount, Black later attempted to withdraw his consent. A judge’s decision to uphold the original agreement preceded the fatal confrontation.
Argument Escalates at Business
Authorities report that hours after the court’s ruling, an argument erupted between Black and Arguelles at their shared business. This dispute tragically escalated, leading to the shooting. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, where attempts were made to save Arguelles. He was pronounced dead at the location, having sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and back.
Community Mourns Loss of Board Member
Robert Roger Arguelles was a respected figure in his community, having served as an Alexander County Schools board member since 2022. District Superintendent Bill Griffin issued a statement remembering Arguelles as an “amazing father, husband, and board member who has faithfully supported our school system for almost four years.” Griffin added that the district extends its full support and respect for the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
