Victor Burgin on Hopper

CHERRYVILLE - Police arrested a Shelby man, interviewed a Waco man and are looking for another Waco man in the shooting death of the owner of an N.C. 150 poker parlor.
Johnny Thomas Mitchell Jr., 21, 102 Dakar Drive, Shelby, faces one count each of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. He is in Gaston County Jail without bond, and declined a request for an interview.
But police don't think Mitchell was the person who shot Howard Ford "Sonny" Neill Sr., 59, at his 2268 Highway 150 business. Cherryville Police Detective Sgt. John Burgin said Edward Hopper, 24, of Edna Drive, Waco, shot Neill after he and Mitchell robbed the business owner.
chell and a third man went in and played the poker machines Monday night between 11 p.m. and midnight, while Hopper stayed outside, Burgin said. Mitchell acted like he was leaving but turned at the last second and did the robbery himself, Burgin said.
After Neill handed Mitchell some money, Hopper entered the business and demanded more, which he got, Burgin said.
"Then he turned and shot Neill," Burgin said. "It was really a senseless act."
Detectives are unsure how much money was taken. They arrested Mitchell on Wednesday and interviewed a third man, Chris Lipscomb, 27, of Goddard Road, Waco. Burgin expects to arrest Lipscomb on lesser charges Friday for his alleged involvement in the robbery and killing, following a review of the case by District Attorney Mike Lands.
Police contacted Hopper by phone and asked him to turn himself in, but he refused, Burgin said. Late Wednesday night they were still looking for Hopper, who also faces first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon charges.

the story is true. check out http://www.shelbystar.com/news2001/_disc4/00000bf8.htm