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Second suspect named in Davidson woman's murder

Christopher Rife was charged Friday in the shooting death of Lakyn Bailey. Joshua Kennedy was taken into custody Wednesday.

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A second suspect was named Friday in the shooting death of a Davidson woman in Rowan County.

Christopher Rife, 36, was already in jail on unrelated charges. The new charges included murder and attempted robbery in connection with the death of Lakyn Bailey.

Credit: Rowan County Sheriff's Office
Christopher Rife

On Wednesday, a registered sex offender was arrested for the murder that happened early Sunday morning.

Joshua Wade Kennedy, 35, was arrested and also charged with attempted robbery.

Credit: Rowan County Detention Center
Joshua Wade Kennedy

Officers were called to the Country Cupboard on Statesville Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. Sunday for a reported shooting. When police got to the scene, they found the body of 25-year-old Lakyn Jade Bailey of Davidson inside a vehicle being driven by someone else. 

Police determined Bailey was shot outside of city limits, and Rowan County deputies were called to the scene, as well as SBI agents. 

Detectives believed the victim was shot on Apple Road near Burmac Circle before being driven to the store where law enforcement was called. 

Bailey's murder appeared to be the result of a meth deal that turned violent, according to investigators. Jason Donald Cranfill, 41, has also been charged with felony possession of schedule II controlled substance methamphetamine in the case.

Officials reported Cranfill was the one who drove Bailey's body to the store. He was taken to the Rowan County Detention Center under a $5,000 secured bond. 

Kennedy is a registered sex offender in West Virginia who had been living in Iredell County and Rowan County. He was taken to jail under no bond.

Anyone with information about the shooting should call deputies at 704-216-8687. 

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