Concord Police Department Charge Suspect in Sun Drop Murders

In a major cold case breakthrough, the Concord Police Department has identified a suspect in the nearly 18-year-old homicide case, commonly known as the Sun Drop Murders.

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Concord Police Department (PD) obtained a warrant for the arrest of 43-year-old Johnny Steven Talbert of Port Angeles, Washington. He was arrested later the same day by the Port Angeles Police Department and taken into custody without incident. Talbert is charged with two counts of first-degree murder (N.C.G.S. 14-17) and one count of robbery with a firearm or other dangerous weapon (N.C.G.S. 14-87). He is currently being held without bail in the Clallam County Jail in Washington State.

Talbert was arrested and charged in connection with the 2008 double homicide and robbery that occurred at the Sun Drop Bottling Company in Concord.

At approximately 10 a.m. on June 13, 2008, officers with the Concord PD responded to a reported shooting inside the Sun Drop Bottling Company, located at 360 Old-Salisbury Concord Road near the intersection with Branchview Drive and Cabarrus Avenue. Responding officers located two gunshot wound victims, 59-year-old Donna Barnhardt, and 44-year-old Darrell Noles, who were pronounced deceased at the scene. Barnhardt was the long-time office manager for the Sundrop Bottling Company and Noles was there to apply for a job.

Detectives with Concord PD's Criminal Investigation Division were called to investigate and spoke with multiple witnesses. Witnesses reported seeing a black man with a slender build, approximately 5'7" to 6' tall, and weighing approximately 170 to 180 pounds, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, leaving the scene on foot in the direction of Cabarrus Avenue.

Detectives believe the suspect shot and killed the victims and stole money from the front office before fleeing the scene.

Officers canvassed the area in the moments and hours that followed the incident, collecting additional evidence and statements. Based on witness descriptions, a composite sketch of the suspect was released in September 2008.

Despite thoroughly investigating hundreds of tips from the community, the case remained unsolved. In the years that followed, detectives with Concord PD continued to investigate and submit evidence for lab tests as technology evolved.

A break came in late 2025. Through a meticulous reexamination of evidence and the pursuit of previously undeveloped leads, detectives uncovered critical information that ultimately led to Talbert's arrest.

On December 19, 2025, detectives with Concord PD contacted the Port Angeles Police Department about Talbert.

Working with the Port Angeles Police Department, detectives from Concord PD traveled to Port Angeles, Washington on May 18, 2026, for further investigation.

Talbert was arrested in Port Angeles, Washington on May 21, 2026, and is currently awaiting extradition to Concord where he will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of robbery with a firearm.

Concord PD would like to thank the Port Angeles Police Department and the community for their assistance throughout the decades-long investigation.

The families of Donna Barnhardt and Darrell Noles have been informed of Talbert's arrest and the pending charges. Concord PD requests the media and public respect the family's privacy during this difficult time as they continue to grieve the loss of their loved ones.

This remains an active investigation and to protect the integrity of the case and pursuit of justice for Donna and Darrell, no further information will be released.

The Concord PD continues to encourage anyone with additional information to call 704-920-5000 or 704-93-CRIME to remain anonymous.