CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities have unveiled new details as indictments against seven individuals have been announced in connection with a mass shooting that resulted in one fatality and injuries to 11 others during a house party in Catawba County. The incident, which occurred on June 1, involved alleged gang members who unleashed gunfire at the gathering on Walnut Acres Drive.
The Catawba County District Attorney’s Office revealed a series of charges against the suspects, including Garon Killian, Ke’andre Mack, Toland Huff Jr., Zachary Bates, Izaiah Mitchell, and Charles Rodell Kincaid III. Each faces charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, alongside 63 counts of attempted first-degree murder. Zoe Makenna Braswell is charged with four counts of accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder.
The lone victim, identified as 30-year-old Shawn Patrick Hood, reportedly may have played a role in organizing the gathering. Investigators believe Hood was not the intended target of the gunfire but was hit while responding to shots fired from a nearby hillside. Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Major Aaron Turk indicated that Hood was inadvertently struck in the chaos of the situation.
“Evidence shows that the shooting was a premeditated attack, executed in a coordinated manner aimed at causing widespread harm,” said District Attorney Scott Reilly. He described the attack as a senseless act, emphasizing that there is no justification for shooting into a crowd.
In the aftermath of the shooting, investigators conducted over 100 interviews and collected evidence that indicated approximately 80 rounds were fired during the incident. Four of the suspects have been identified as the actual shooters, while others played varying roles, including driving and orchestrating the attack.
Following the incident, nine suspects have been apprehended, facing a range of charges from attempted murder to aiding individuals under 21 with alcohol. The FBI is involved in the case and is preparing to file federal charges against some of those implicated. Special teams are examining the evidence gathered and developing interactive models of the crime scene to assist in understanding the events that occurred.
No charges will be brought against the person who unintentionally shot Hood, according to investigators, who continue to analyze the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.