'Bright and Innocent' N.C. Girl, 6, and Her 'Devoted' Mom Are Killed by Child's Father in Murder-Suicide

Kiera Massenburg and her daughter Zoey died from injuries sustained during a shooting incident on Sunday, Aug. 11

A mother and her daughter are dead after they were killed by the child's dad in a murder-suicide in North Carolina on Aug. 11.

DaQuan Marcato Jones, 32, shot the mother of his child, Kiera Massenburg, 27, and the girl, Zoey Jones, 6, in a shooting that also wounded two others, WRAL reports.

WNCN reports Jones drove away from the scene of that shooting, which took place in Sharpsburg, N.C., with the girl and Massenburg in the car. He dropped Zoey off at a home in Nash County with life-threatening injuries and she was taken to the hospital, where she died the following evening, WRAL reports.

The outlet reports that one of the wounded victims was in critical condition while the other has been released from the hospital.

According to a press release released by Nash County Sheriff's Office (NCSO) on Facebook, authorities arrived at a home on Jamie Rd. in Battleboro, N.C., where they found Jones' vehicle in the driveway.

As authorities approached the vehicle they found a woman, later identified as Massenburg, dead in the backseat of the car.

"As units were approaching the residence, they heard a gunshot come from inside of 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 press release read.

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Authorities then found Jones dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a bedroom of the house, which he owned.

Per jail records obtained by WNCN, Jones had been released from Edgecombe County Detention Center on Aug. 10. He had been serving time after being charged with assault inflicting serious bodily injury after a July 2024 incident in which he allegedly punched Massenburg in the face, knocking her teeth out and fracturing her nose.

Authorities said the pair had been in a dating relationship.

"Kiera was a devoted mother, a cherished friend, and a pillar of strength for all who knew her," a GoFundMe set up to help the family of Massenberg and Zoey pay for their funerals stated. "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."

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.

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