Union County Tragedy: Charles Nathan Crosby and Kiran Patel Die in Two Killings, Suspect Captured After Standoff
Union County Tragedy: Charles Nathan Crosby and Kiran Patel Die in Two Killings, Suspect Captured After Standoff
Union County was shaken this week by two separate killings that unfolded on the same day, sparking a widespread manhunt and ultimately ending in a tense standoff. Authorities confirmed that the first victim, Charles Nathan Crosby, was found shot to death inside a home on South Mountain Street on Tuesday. Just hours later, tragedy struck again when Kiran Patel was killed outside DD’s Food Mart, leaving residents on edge.
The back-to-back incidents stunned the community, with law enforcement immediately mobilizing multiple agencies to track down the suspect believed to be responsible. Investigators identified 22-year-old Zaedan Mack Hill as the prime suspect, launching a countywide search to bring him into custody. The string of violence and the possibility of further danger prompted swift action, with state and local officials coordinating their efforts.
By Thursday, the search led authorities to a residence on South Church Street, where Hill had barricaded himself inside. What followed was a tense standoff that lasted hours, with heavily armed SWAT officers, the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and Union Public Safety on the scene. Neighbors were urged to remain indoors as law enforcement surrounded the area, determined to resolve the situation without further loss of life.
Negotiators and tactical teams worked through the night, attempting to coax Hill out peacefully. He initially refused to surrender, creating a prolonged and stressful confrontation that gripped the community. Law enforcement later deployed less-lethal tactics to pressure him into compliance, eventually leading to his safe arrest without further injury.
Authorities confirmed that Hill now faces charges in both homicides. Investigators believe he acted alone and emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Officials praised the coordination among the agencies involved, crediting their teamwork with bringing the ordeal to a resolution without additional bloodshed.
For the families of Charles Nathan Crosby and Kiran Patel, however, the heartbreak is overwhelming. Both men lost their lives in acts of violence that left loved ones in mourning and community members searching for answers. Officials extended condolences to the victims’ families, acknowledging the depth of grief caused by such sudden and devastating losses.
Residents of Union County expressed shock that such violence could erupt so close to home. Many described the killings as deeply unsettling for a community more accustomed to quiet living than scenes of police standoffs and homicide investigations. Vigils and memorial gatherings are being planned to honor the memories of both men, ensuring their lives are remembered with dignity and compassion.
Law enforcement leaders stressed that justice for the victims and their families remains their highest priority. The ongoing investigation will piece together the motives behind the killings and determine whether additional charges may follow. Prosecutors are expected to handle the case with the utmost seriousness given the violence involved.
The events of this week serve as a sobering reminder of how quickly tragedy can unfold. Two lives were cut short in one day, leaving lasting scars on a grieving community. Though the suspect is now in custody, the journey toward healing for Union County, and especially for the families of Crosby and Patel, will be long and difficult.
As the legal process begins, Union County is left reflecting on the fragility of life and the importance of community resilience. The sorrow left in the wake of these killings will not soon fade, but friends, neighbors, and officials alike have pledged to stand beside the families as they mourn and remember.
