SALISBURY — A local man was arrested Thursday on the charge of first-degree murder for the death of a 57-year-old woman Wednesday evening.

Herman Donald Floyd III, 44, was booked on the charges just before 8 p.m.

According to police, emergency dispatchers received a call at 6:48 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, that an assault was in progress. The caller reported the incident was behind the Salisbury Marketplace Shopping Center on Statesville Boulevard. Officers found the victim with life-threatening injuries, and despite efforts to save her, she died at the scene.

The Salisbury Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division immediately began an investigation into the incident, and the next day, Oct. 24, they were able to secure and serve a search warrant at Apartment G, 122 Clancy Street.

The Salisbury Police Department’s Special Response Team, Investigations Division and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) had obtained information linking the suspect to the residence, and items collected from the apartment linked the suspect to the homicide.

As a result, Floyd was arrested, charged and is currently being held at the Rowan County Detention Center without bond. Floyd made no comment as he was being transferred from the magistrate’s office to the jail.

The Salisbury Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the victim’s family during this difficult time.

Employees at several surrounding businesses said they had seen the woman, whom they said was homeless, from time to time, and that she was always friendly and pleasant. Two of the women who spoke anonymously were concerned about their own safety before police made the arrest, but they were hopeful police would solve the case quickly.

The investigation remains open and anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact Lt. Casper at 704-638-5333, 704-638-5211, or via email at investigations@salisburync.gov. Anonymous tips and video footage can also be submitted through the department’s Facebook page.