Tyon Shamar Turner, 23, of Long View, was given an active prison sentence of 10 to 13 years following his conviction for multiple firearms offenses during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
The Honorable Clifton H. Smith, Superior Court Judge from Catawba County, imposed terms of the active sentence after Turner entered the guilty pleas to discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle in operation, possession of firearm by a felon, possession of a gun with serial number removed and his status as an armed habitual felon.
The defendant will serve his prison term in custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.
His incarceration period was lengthened by the armed habitual felon status that included a prior conviction for discharging a weapon into occupied property (May 2021) in Catawba County.
Turner discharged rounds from a firearm into a vehicle occupied by multiple people while it was in operation at a location in Hickory on October 30, 2025.
When Turner was taken into custody for active warrants on December 5, 2025, two handguns were located in his possession. One of them had been reported stolen, and the other had no legible serial number. It appeared the number had been removed with some sort of grinding tool.
Turner’s conviction came as a result of the collaborative efforts of the newly-formed task force in Catawba County targeting offenders who commit violent crimes. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Hickory Police Department, Maiden Police Department, Newton Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are combining efforts to target violent and repeat offenders.
Cases developed through the task force are reviewed by prosecutors to determine the most appropriate venue for prosecution and to ensure that offenders who present the greatest threat to public safety are held accountable and to reduce violent crime in our community.
Turner’s prosecution reflects the mission of the Catawba County Violent Crimes Task Force, which focuses on identifying, investigating and prosecuting repeat violent offenders whose actions pose a significant threat to public safety.
District Attorney Scott Reilly stated, “This defendant repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to use firearms in a manner that endangered others. The sentence imposed removes a violent repeat offender from our community and reflects the strong partnership between law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who are committed to protecting the citizens of Catawba County.”
Austin Steele handled the investigation for Hickory Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Kyle Smith prosecuted the matter for the State with aid from Legal Assistant Amy Bishoff.