At a Glance
- 18-year-old Jack Boone drove his car into BargainMax at Eastridge Mall after an altercation with employees
- Boone faces 15 charges, including eight counts of assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of communicating threats
- $200,000 bond set; next court appearance scheduled for Friday
- Why it matters: Despite the violent attack, no injuries were reported, highlighting a narrow escape for shoppers and staff
An 18-year-old North Carolina man is behind bars after allegedly driving his car into a BargainMax store following a heated argument with employees, according to police reports.
The Incident
The confrontation began inside the BargainMax located at Eastridge Mall in Gastonia. What started as a verbal dispute quickly escalated into a dangerous rampage that could have ended in tragedy.
After the altercation with store employees, Boone allegedly made violent threats before getting behind the wheel. Court records indicate Boone specifically threatened to kill the store’s manager, as reported by WCNC.
The Attack
In a shocking turn of events, Boone drove his vehicle directly into the BargainMax store. The deliberate act of driving into the building occurred on Thursday, sending shoppers and employees scrambling for safety.
The impact caused significant damage to the store structure, though remarkably, police confirmed that nobody was injured during the incident.
Charges and Legal Consequences
The 18-year-old now faces a staggering 15 charges related to the incident:
- Eight counts of assault with a deadly weapon
- Two counts of communicating threats (including threats made to hospital staff during treatment)
- Two counts of resisting arrest resulting in injury to an officer
- Additional charges related to the rampage
Current Status
Boone is being held at the Gaston County jail under a $200,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday, where he will face the multiple felony charges stemming from the incident.
Ongoing Investigation
While Boone is in custody, police emphasize that the investigation remains active. Law enforcement continues gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing security footage from both the mall and surrounding businesses.
The incident has raised questions about security protocols at the mall and how such a violent escalation could be prevented in the future. Mall management has not yet commented on whether additional safety measures will be implemented.
Key Takeaways
- An 18-year-old faces serious felony charges after driving into a store following an argument
- The $200,000 bond reflects the severity of the 15 charges
- Despite the violent nature of the attack, no injuries were reported
- The investigation continues as police piece together the full sequence of events
