Youth killed by Cherokee police

By Rose Hooper

Sunday morning, shortly after 3 a.m., Brenda Lee Cochran Bustos of Cherokee called 911 saying her son was threatening to harm himself with a knife. When police entered their mobile home on Macedonia Road, Bustos's 17-year-old son, Charles "Charlie" Don Biello, was shot and killed during the confrontation.

Four policemen responded to the call and, according to police spokesperson Marion Teesateskie, one officer was placed on administrative leave for 30 days following the shooting.

Cherokee Police Chief Jonah Wolfe said he would not comment further on the case until the investigation was complete.

Dr. Larry Selby, pathologist at Harris Regional Hospital who performed Biello's autopsy, indicated that Biello died of gunshot wounds.

"There were some bruises on his body, but the young man died from gunshot wounds to the chest," said Dr. Selby, who indicated he found two bullet holes. Selby recovered one bullet from Biello's body; the other apparently went through the body.

A special agent with the FBI's Asheville office investigated the shooting, but, as of press time, his findings had not been made public. The findings are expected to be announced through the FBI's media relations office in Charlotte, according to agent Mark Aysta.

According to a family friend present that morning at the home, the knife Biello picked up was "a common paring knife from the kitchen table."

Biello, son of Charles Donnie Biello of Cherokee and Brenda and Antonio Bustos of Cherokee, was employed at Wendy's.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Acquoni Baptist Chapel.

Back to Archive: 10/12/00.