Man charged in deadly Matthews bowling alley shooting

Ray Teasley turned himself in after the incident that left one person dead

Mar. 29, 2026 at 8:22pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent bullet casing on the ground, with harsh lighting and a dark background, conveying the serious and investigative nature of the crime scene.The aftermath of a deadly shooting at a Matthews bowling alley exposes the grim reality of gun violence in public spaces.Matthews Today

A 48-year-old man has been charged with voluntary manslaughter after a deadly shooting at a bowling alley in Matthews, North Carolina. The incident occurred just before 1 a.m. when a dispute between multiple individuals inside the Lucky Strike bowling alley escalated in the parking lot, leaving 43-year-old Travis Lock dead from a suspected gunshot wound. The suspect, Ray Teasley, fled the scene but later turned himself in to authorities on Sunday.

Why it matters

Violent incidents at public venues like bowling alleys raise concerns about public safety and the need for better security measures and conflict resolution protocols. This case also highlights the complex issues surrounding gun violence and the role of mental health in such tragedies.

The details

According to police, the dispute began inside the Lucky Strike bowling alley before spilling out into the parking lot, where the shooting occurred. Travis Lock was found unresponsive in the parking lot with a suspected gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. Ray Teasley, the 48-year-old suspect, fled the scene but turned himself in to authorities on Sunday and was charged with voluntary manslaughter.

  • The incident occurred just before 1 a.m. on March 29, 2026.
  • Ray Teasley turned himself in on Sunday, March 30, 2026.

The players

Ray Teasley

A 48-year-old man who has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the deadly shooting at the Lucky Strike bowling alley.

Travis Lock

A 43-year-old man who was killed in the shooting incident at the Lucky Strike bowling alley.

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What they’re saying

“We must do more to address the root causes of violence in our communities and ensure public spaces like bowling alleys remain safe for families.”

— Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Mayor of Matthews

What’s next

Teasley is currently being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail, and a judge will determine whether to grant him bail at a hearing later this week.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for improved security protocols, conflict de-escalation training, and comprehensive mental health support to prevent future acts of violence in public spaces and protect innocent lives.