Riegelwood man who pulled gun, fired at tow truck driver repossessing a vehicle found guilty

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Columbus County man who pulled a gun and fired at a tow truck driver is going to prison.

According to the district attorney’s office, Ronald Allen Keaton, 55, was convicted of robbery, discharging a weapon, and possession of a firearm by a felon last week.

In May of 2020, a tow truck driver went to Keaton’s house with a repossession order. Keaton came out of his house in Riegelwood with a firearm and fired two shots into the tow truck. Then Keaton put the gun to the victim’s head and threatened to blow his brains out if he did not leave the car.

The tow truck driver and his partner dropped the vehicle and drove to safety where they called 911.

Keaton will spend between seven and nine years in prison.