Stephen Carter and a business partner had just returned to their room at the Ramada Inn on Sycamore View Road after enjoying dinner at a nearby restaurant when their room door was forced open and a man pointed a handgun. The gunman demanded money and only seconds later fired the weapon, killing Carter. It was about 7:45 p.m.
The suspect — described as five feet 10 inches, medium build, about 160-175 pounds and wearing a dark-colored jacket — ran to a older model four-door vehicle occupied by two other males. The car left the motel parking lot, and fled west on Shelby Oaks Drive.