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North Carolina furniture manufacturer allegedly kills business partner hours after losing contract dispute
By Louis Casiano
Published June 19, 2026
A North Carolina furniture manufacturer allegedly shot and killed his business partner this week after a court ruled against him in a contract dispute.
Willard Gary Black, 85, has been charged with second-degree murder in the Wednesday fatal shooting of Robert Roger Arguelles, who was struck in the chest and back, Queen City News reported.
The shooting happened at the Old Hickory Tannery, where Arguelles and Black were co-owners of the business.
Court records show that earlier that day, Black was ordered to pay Arguelles $310,882.74 after a contract dispute between the two men, Court TV reported.
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Willard Gary Black, 85, has been charged with second-degree murder in the Wednesday fatal shooting of Robert Roger Arguelles. (Catawba County Detention Facility; Alexander County Schools)
In 2018, Black sold Arguelles 49.9% of the stock in his business. However, Arguelles said he had loaned Black $280,000, of which only $23,876.19 was ever repaid, the news outlet reported.
Both men reached an agreement to settle the lawsuit for $310,882.74, but after filing the paperwork with the court, Black sought to withdraw his consent.
On Wednesday, a judge denied his request and ordered Black to pay Arguelles, 59, the amount of the original agreement.
A judge's gavel rests on a wooden block with scales of justice and law books in a courtroom setting. (Brian A. Jackson/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Hours later, both men got into an argument at the business, which led to the shooting, authorities said. Police officers arrived and attempted to save Arguelles, who died at the scene.
Arguelles had served as an Alexander County Schools board member since 2022.
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In a statement, District Superintendent Bill Griffin described Arguelles as an "amazing father, husband, and board member who has faithfully supported our school system for almost four years."
"In honor of his memory, our district fully supports and respects the family’s privacy as they navigate this profound loss," he added.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/north-carolina-furniture-manufacturer-allegedly-kills-business-partner-hours-losing-contract-dispute