Drew Marian Spencer was 21 when he died on June 2, 2014, in Hickory, North Carolina. Born July 7, 1992, in Botosani, Romania, he was the son of Dale Edward Spencer and Deborah Lynn Reaves Spencer. Friends and family remembered him as kind-hearted, free-spirited, and willing to help others; he worked for Phatt Daddy Landscaping Co. and was planning to return to school and pursue a career.

Drew was killed in an officer-involved shooting at a Hickory gas station after officers Clay Albrect and John Ray responded to a call and shot him. The officers were later cleared of criminal misconduct. A memorial service was held June 20, 2014, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Conover, where he was a member.

Many details about the incident remain unclear to Drew’s family and friends. If anyone witnessed the shooting or has information about what happened that day, please come forward.