Michael Charles Hayes was born on January 13, 1964, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he grew up. As a child, he experienced a typical upbringing, but things began to change when he started using drugs at the age of 13. His drug use led to troubling behavior, and he became known for being a bully. People around him noticed changes in his attitude and actions, which were likely influenced by both his mental health issues and drug abuse.

During his teenage years and into early adulthood, Hayes had trouble keeping jobs. He would often bounce from one job to another without finding stability. Eventually, he began working at Edwards' Moped Shop, a business that was purchased by his parents. This shop was located on Old Salisbury Road in southern Forsyth County, close to the Davidson County line.

While working there, Hayes stole money from the business over several months. When his parents discovered the theft, they threatened to sell the shop and stop supporting him. 

On the night of July 17, 1988, Michael Charles Hayes shot nine people from the centerline of a dark road in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This happened in front of his parents’ moped shop. During the attack, four people were killed: Crystal Cantrell, Tom Nicholson, Melinda Hayes, and Ronnie Hull. The chaotic scene also left six others injured.

Following the shooting, Hayes explained that he believed the victims were demons that needed to be killed. His actions led to public concern and confusion about which police agency had jurisdiction since the moped shop was near the Forsyth and Davidson County lines.

Hayes’ trial began on March 27, 1989. It gained a lot of media attention and faced challenges in seating an impartial jury. Eventually, the jury found Hayes "Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity." This verdict sparked outrage among many people in the community and the state.

After the trial, Hayes was committed to Dorothea Dix State Mental Hospital in Raleigh. He received treatment for his mental health, including a drug called Haldol, which is used to treat aggressive behaviors and schizophrenia. His psychosis went away, and he stopped taking medication in 1989. Since then, he has not been on any mental health medication.

Over the years, Hayes has petitioned for release from the hospital, but these requests have often met strong opposition from the victims’ families and media scrutiny. In 1998, many in the community were upset when they discovered Hayes had fathered a child while being held at the hospital. This led to attempts by lawmakers to change the legal definition of insanity in verdicts from "not guilty by reason of insanity" to "guilty but insane." This change would allow for continued confinement instead of release after treatment.

The area where the shooting occurred has changed significantly, becoming more suburban with shopping centers and housing developments. The building that housed the moped shop was torn down in the late 1990s. Efforts to create a memorial for the victims near the site have not been successful.

In September 2007, it was revealed that Hayes was allowed to work at a gas station near Raleigh while still hospitalized. However, he was let go after the station received threats regarding his safety. During one of his hearings, several psychiatrists testified that Hayes should be released due to his mental stability.

Despite this, on September 27, 2007, a judge denied his release. However, on May 13, 2010, a judge signed an order for his conditional release. Finally, Michael Hayes was released on March 1, 2012, and he is currently free.