news-record.com

HIGH POINT (MCT) — The victim of the city's most recent homicide died from a close-range gunshot wound, according to an autopsy report.

Joseph McClease McMannus, 31, of High Point, was killed Aug. 22 after he was struck in the right jaw by a medium-caliber lead projectile that was later recovered from his body, according to the report by the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Chapel Hill.

Medical examiners also found a graze wound on McMannus' right upper arm, as well as cuts on his face and arms. The gunshot wound damaged his right internal carotid artery. A test for alcohol was negative.

McMannus was at a large gathering at 227 Friendly Ave. when an argument erupted in the front porch area of the house that was followed by gunfire.

According to a medical examiner's report, McMannus got into his car after the shooting and drove half a block to the intersection of Friendly Avenue and Hickory Chapel Road, got out of the car and collapsed on the street.

High Point police officers responding to the shooting call later found McMannus. Four other people were injured in the shooting. They all survived.

Records show police have arrested three people in connection with the incident on charges of possession of a firearm by a felon, but no one has been charged with McMannus' slaying.

According to investigators, multiple witnesses who offered differing accounts of the incident. A police spokesman said Monday that the investigation is ongoing and detectives have identified someone else they want to speak with who was at the scene, and are trying to find that person.

McMannus' killing is one of two homicides that have occurred in High Point this year. The first was the Feb. 11 shooting death during a robbery of 30-year-old Christopher Bridges at 503 Cable St. Wendell Charles Caldwell has been charged with murder and armed robbery in that case.