Arrest Made in Road Rage Incident

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

On July 31, 2025, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported road rage incident that originated from a domestic dispute near the intersection of Notley River Road and Spur 60.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered an overturned 2007 Ford Taurus and identified the driver as Shawn Panther, who resides on Dixie Drive off Notley River Road.

Following an investigation and interviews with witnesses and those involved, deputies determined that the other vehicle involved was driven by Merbin Garcia, with Kerrie Williams, Panther's former girlfriend, as a passenger. Williams had just left Panther's residence after gathering her personal belongings and ending the relationship.

Investigators learned that Williams recorded the incident on her cellphone. The video allegedly shows Panther intentionally sideswiping Garcia's pickup truck and the utility trailer it was towing. The investigation indicates that Panther continued pursuing the vehicle and allegedly attempted to force it off the roadway. During that attempt, Panther lost control of his own vehicle, causing the Ford Taurus to overturn.

Fortunately, neither Garcia nor Williams sustained life-threatening injuries during the incident.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol assisted the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office with the investigation and handled the traffic-related violations stemming from the crash.

Shawn Panther was taken into custody at the scene without further incident. He was transported before a Cherokee County magistrate and charged with two counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill. Due to the domestic nature of the incident, Panther was also placed on a 48-hour domestic violence hold as provided under North Carolina law. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol pursued the appropriate traffic-related charges as part of its crash investigation.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office appreciates the assistance of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office is committed to protecting victims of domestic violence and aggressively investigating incidents where violent behavior extends onto our roadways, placing innocent motorists at risk.

Sheriff Chris Wood reminds the public that if you find yourself involved in a road rage incident, do not engage with the other driver. Safely distance yourself from the situation and contact 911 as soon as possible.

As always, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.