Founder of North Carolina furniture business charged with deadly shooting of co-owner

Founder of North Carolina furniture business charged with deadly shooting of co-owner June 17, 2026 | 10:20 pm CDT

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Woodworking Industry News

Founder of North Carolina furniture business charged with deadly shooting of co-owner

By

Larry Adams

June 17, 2026 | 10:20 pm CDT

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Willard Gary Black, 85, of Hickory, North Carolina, has been charged with the alleged shooting death of Robert Arguilles. Black and Arguilles were reportedly co-owners of a furniture manufacturing business.

A co-owner of a North Carolina furniture manufacturing business has been charged with second-degree murder following a deadly shooting Wednesday afternoon at the Old Hickory Tannery, in Newton, North Carolina, police said.

Eighty-five-year-old Willard Gary Black of Hickory, North Carolina, has been charged in the shooting death of 59-year-old Robert Arguelles. Black is scheduled to have his first court appearance on Thursday, June 18 in Catawba County District Court.

According to the Newton Police Department, at around 3:20 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, Black and Robert Arguelles allegedly had an altercation inside an office at the Old Hickory Tannery off Locust Street. Black and Arguelles are reportedly co-owners of the furniture business.

Police said that following the altercation, Black allegedly shot Arguelles, who suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and back. Life-saving measures were performed, but Arguelles succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Old Hickory Tannery is a luxury, family-owned furniture manufacturer based in Hickory, North Carolina. The brand is renowned for handcrafted, heirloom-quality upholstered furniture, featuring rich leathers, custom wood framing, and intricate detailing.

Arguelles was listed as a school board member for Alexander County Schools. Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin released the following statement Wednesday evening.

"It is with heavy hearts that we mourn alongside the Alexander County Schools’ family, friends, and the entire community that Rob Arguelles so devotedly represented."

“He was 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.”

ACS School Board Chair Josh Dagenhart shared his personal reflection on the loss. “Rob was a brilliant soul, a great man, and a dear friend that passed away far too soon. I am heartbroken. I love you Rob. I will see you again.”

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About the author

Larry Adams

| Editor

Larry Adams is a Chicago-based writer and editor who writes about how things get done. A former wire service and community newspaper reporter, Larry is an award-winning writer with more than three decades of experience. In addition to writing about woodworking, he has covered science, metrology, metalworking, industrial design, quality control, imaging, Swiss and micromanufacturing . He was previously a Tabbie Award winner for his coverage of nano-based coatings technology for the automotive industry. Larry volunteers for the historic preservation group, the Kalo Foundation/Ianelli Studios, and the science-based group, Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST).

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