Mother and Daughter Killed in Tragic North Carolina Murder-Suicide
Photo: Nia Barner/GoFundMe
A mother and her young daughter were tragically killed in a murder-suicide carried out by the child’s father in North Carolina on August 11. DaQuan Marcato Jones, 32, fatally shot Kiera Massenburg, 27, and their 6-year-old daughter, Zoey Jones, in a violent incident that also left two others wounded, according to WRAL.
The shocking events unfolded in Sharpsburg, N.C., where Jones opened fire before fleeing the scene with Massenburg and Zoey in the car. WNCN reports that Jones later drove to a home in Nash County, where he left Zoey, critically injured, before driving away. Zoey was rushed to the hospital, but despite efforts to save her, she succumbed to her injuries the following evening.
The two other victims of the shooting included one who remains in critical condition, while the other has been released from the hospital. Authorities were alerted to Jones’ location when they found his vehicle parked in the driveway of a home on Jamie Road in Battleboro, N.C. The Nash County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) reported on Facebook that officers discovered Massenburg’s lifeless body in the backseat of the vehicle.
“As units were approaching the residence, they heard a gunshot come from inside the residence. At this point, units surrounded the residence. A male subject then exited the side door to the residence and advised us that the suspect had shot himself,” the NCSO press release stated. Inside the home, authorities found Jones dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a bedroom. The residence was reportedly owned by Jones.
Records obtained by WNCN revealed that Jones had been released from the Edgecombe County Detention Center just one day before the tragic incident. He had been incarcerated following charges of assault inflicting serious bodily injury from a July 2024 incident in which he allegedly punched Massenburg, causing severe injuries including a fractured nose and knocked-out teeth. Massenburg and Jones had been in a dating relationship, according to authorities.
A GoFundMe page established to help cover funeral expenses for Massenburg and Zoey described Kiera as “a devoted mother, a cherished friend, and a pillar of strength for all who knew her.” The page continued, “Her child, Zoey, was a bright and innocent soul who brought joy and love into the lives of everyone they met. The bond they shared was unbreakable, and their loss leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who loved them.” The tragic loss of Kiera and Zoey has left their community heartbroken, as they grapple with the devastating impact of this senseless violence.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
