FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two suspects have been indicted on murder charges in connection with the September 2011 shooting death of Statesville resident Joseph “Joey” Brewer.

Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the indictments of O’Kiera Donell Myers, 41, and John Lewis Chambers, 42, on Monday morning.

ICSO Detective Lt. Donald Clodfelter presented evidence to an Iredell County grand jury on December 4. The grand jury issued true bills of indictment charging Chambers and Myers with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Chambers is also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.

“I am profoundly grateful that this case has reached a turning point and that Joey Brewer’s family may finally find a measure of peace,” Campbell said. “The strength and perseverance they have shown over the years inspire us all.

“It has been the relentless determination of the investigators and staff at the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, along with the support of partner agencies, that brought us to this moment. Our commitment to seeking justice for victims and their families remains steadfast.”

After securing the indictments, deputies located Chambers in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service. He is serving a 21-month federal prison sentence on unrelated firearms charges.

Members of the ICSO Warrant Squad, Narcotics and Investigations units, along members of the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, located Myers at a business in Statesville on December 6 and took him into custody.

Prior to arrest, Myers was free on $500,000 secured bond in connection with the August 30, 2015, shooting death of Leon Treymaine Bradshaw in Statesville. He is charged with first-degree murder and other charges in that case.

Myers received a $1 million bond on the new charges.

Brewer, 30, died at Iredell Memorial Hospital on September 16, 2011, after being shot multiple times at the Myrtle Place Apartments near downtown Statesville.

The Statesville Police Department initially handled the investigation.

In November of 2013, the Brewer family asked the District Attorney’s Office to reassign the case to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. District Attorney Sarah Kirkman honored their request.

Since then, Sheriff Campbell said, the ICSO Criminal Investigation Division, including members of the Homicide Investigation Unit, have devoted thousands of hours to the case. Detectives reviewed evidence, statements, and leads originally gathered by the SPD and the SBI, while also developing new leads.

Detectives recently uncovered new information that led to the identification of Chambers and Myers as primary suspects, Campbell said.

“This investigation is still ongoing, and we believe there are individuals with additional information who have not yet come forward,” he said. “If you have information—or know someone who does—we urge you to contact us. Your help could make a difference.”

According to the ICSO, Myers criminal history includes the following charges: Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana, two counts of Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury, two counts of Felony Sell Cocaine, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Felony Possession of Cocaine, Felony Obtain Property by False Pretense, Felony Possession of Counterfeit Instrument, and two counts of Accessory After the Fact Marijuana Possession.

Chambers’ criminal history includes the following charges: two counts of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor Breaking or Entering, Felony Common Law Robbery, Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer, Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, Felony Common Law Robbery, two counts of Felony Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer or Public Officer with a Firearm, two counts of Misdemeanor Assault on a Female, and Felony Break or Enter to Terrorize of Injure.