On January 1, 2023, 33-year-old Juan Nikely Avalo was fatally shot at his home on Burlington Avenue in Gastonia, North Carolina. The incident followed months of contact between Avalo and off-duty Ranlo Police Officer Kwaku Riley Agyapon after Agyapon responded to a November 2022 domestic dispute at Avalo’s residence in which Avalo was accused of assaulting Krystal Ortiz.

Avalo found Agyapon’s number in Ortiz’s phone on December 31, 2022, and the men arranged to meet. In the early hours of January 1, Agyapon arrived at Avalo’s home in his personal vehicle armed with his service weapon. A physical fight occurred; Avalo reportedly stabbed Agyapon, then dropped the knife and tried to run. Agyapon fired multiple shots and struck Avalo once in the head. Avalo was taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center and pronounced dead.

The State Bureau of Investigation and the Gaston County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case; Agyapon was charged with first-degree murder, placed on unpaid administrative leave, and later terminated from the Ranlo Police Department. A GoFundMe was set up to help Avalo’s partner and children with funeral and financial needs.

If anyone knew Avalo or was in the area that night, did you see anything that could help explain what happened?