Albert Lowery, 44, from Charlotte, North Carolina, was fatally shot multiple times around 3 a.m. on December 15, 2025, in the parking lot of Tender Hearts Child Care on North Sharon Amity Road. His wife, Jessica Moss-Lowery, discovered his body in his vehicle after hearing gunshots and calling him without response. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Sequence of Events
Lowery interrupted a crime about two hours earlier, around 1 a.m., when he confronted a man attempting to steal a catalytic converter from an SUV in the lot. Surveillance video showed Lowery, who was armed, approaching the suspect under the vehicle. The man fled in a black Honda Civic parked nearby.
Police linked the Honda to a home just eight minutes away, leading to the arrests of Rethanachantra Em, 33, and Borein Ngiem, 32, both Charlotte residents.
Charges Against Suspects
- Rethanachantra Em: First-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, attempted theft of motor vehicle parts, felony conspiracy.
- Borein Ngiem: First-degree murder, felony conspiracy, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Details on how the confrontation escalated to the shooting remain undisclosed per the police affidavit.
Background on Lowery and Context
Lowery, originally from Pageland, South Carolina, was remembered in his obituary as a father, grandfather, and “true man’s man” known for his big heart, loyalty, and wisdom. Catalytic converter thefts are common due to the valuable precious metals (like platinum, palladium, and rhodium) inside, which fetch high scrap prices—often $200–$1,000 per unit.
This case highlights risks of intervening in property crimes, especially at 24-hour facilities like child care centers, which can attract opportunistic thefts in urban areas like Charlotte…