Hickory Police have opened a homicide investigation after 25-year-old Austin Lee Matthew Miller of Lexington was shot and killed early Sunday morning during what authorities describe as an ongoing domestic incident that began in Caldwell County.
Officers were called to the area of Main Avenue SW and U.S. Highway 321 at 2:42 a.m. on December 7 following reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they discovered Miller with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say the shooting occurred amid an active domestic situation involving several individuals traveling south on Highway 321 into Hickory. At the scene, officers located 32-year-old James Michael Church of Granite Falls, who was identified as the person who fired the shots. As of December 8, no charges had been filed, and the case remains under active review.
Hickory Police are urging anyone with information to contact Investigator Ben Rogers at 828-261-2614 or by emailing brogers@hickorync.gov.
Family and Community Grieving a Devastating Loss
Miller’s death has sent shockwaves through his family and community. His mother, Amber Nicole Miller, shared an emotional tribute, reflecting on her son’s deep love for family and the final phone call she missed the night he died.
“If you knew Austin, then you knew one thing — he loved his momma, and his momma loved him,” she wrote. She described replaying the final missed call and struggling to understand the tragedy, adding, “Any other Saturday night I would’ve still been awake. I would’ve answered that call and said, ‘Come to wherever I am, or I will come to you.’”
Friends remember Austin as loyal, compassionate, and someone whose presence brought comfort to those around him.
Investigation Ongoing
Detectives continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting. Authorities say additional information will be released as it becomes available and encourage the public to share any details that may assist in the investigation.