MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A suspect in a weekend shooting that killed two people and injured another at a North Carolina home died in a shootout with deputies hours afterward outside another house, a sheriff said Sunday.
In a social media post, Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said that Justin Michael Strawser was wearing a bulletproof vest and firing at deputies when he was killed in the shootout Saturday outside a home in Mooresville. The deputies and four minor children inside the home with Strawser weren’t hurt, he added.
Deputies had responded to a call about shots fired at a different Mooresville home, where they discovered two dead people inside the house and someone critically injured on the back porch. All three were found restrained and bound, and the third was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, the sheriff said.
The sheriff’s office said Strawser and the three who were shot knew each other, so it wasn’t a random home invasion. Narcotics and robbery are possible motives, the office added.
Information about Strawser led deputies to approach the second home, where Strawser barricaded himself inside and began firing at them with the AR-15, the sheriff said.
With the house surrounded, sheriff’s office negotiators tried to get Strawser to come out, according to Campbell. They also learned the four juveniles were inside, but the minors were uncooperative and refused rescue attempts, he added.
Authorities said some of the bullets fired by Strawser hit sheriff’s office vehicles. Strawser also told negotiators about his involvement in the deadly incident at the other house, according to the sheriff.
Deputies then used tear gas, spurring the children to flee the house and Strawser exited after them, wearing the bulletproof vest and firing at the deputies, according to the sheriff.
Deputies then shot back, killing Strawser. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting. Three deputies were placed on administrative leave under the sheriff’s office’s standard policy.
The people killed at the first house were identified as two men, ages 22 and 24.
Authorities in North Carolina have reported that the suspect believed to be responsible for the killing of two individuals at a home in the state has died in a shootout with deputies. The incident, which occurred in a rural area of North Carolina, has left the community in shock and mourning for the victims.
According to reports, deputies responded to a call about a disturbance at the home and arrived to find two individuals dead from gunshot wounds. The suspect, who was identified as a 35-year-old male, fled the scene before deputies arrived. A manhunt ensued, with law enforcement officers working tirelessly to track down the suspect.
After several hours of searching, deputies located the suspect in a wooded area near the scene of the crime. When confronted by law enforcement, the suspect opened fire, prompting deputies to return fire. The suspect was ultimately shot and killed in the exchange of gunfire.
The identities of the victims have not been released, and the motive for the killings remains unclear. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The tragic events that unfolded in North Carolina serve as a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face on a daily basis. Deputies put their lives on the line to protect and serve their communities, and incidents like this highlight the bravery and dedication of these individuals.
The community is coming together to support the families of the victims and to mourn the loss of life in this senseless act of violence. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy, and we hope that justice will be served for the victims and their loved ones.
As more details emerge from the investigation, authorities will continue to provide updates on the case. In the meantime, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
In conclusion, the shootout between deputies and the suspect in North Carolina has left a community in mourning and serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
