Jera Lee Wagoner, a 40-year-old woman from North Wilkesboro, NC, was found dead on February 3, 2020, in Union Grove, NC. She was discovered in the front yard of a residence on Lunsford Lane with an apparent gunshot wound. Despite efforts to perform CPR, she was pronounced dead at the scene by Iredell County EMS personnel. The Iredell County Sheriff's Office was initially dispatched to the scene around 1:15 a.m. following a report of a possible suicide.
However, upon arrival, deputies found evidence suggesting foul play.
Gerald Isaac Lunsford, a 42-year-old man from Union Grove, was arrested and charged with the murder of Jera Lee Wagoner. Lunsford, who has a criminal history including charges of felony breaking and entering, misdemeanor discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a residence, misdemeanor assault, and possession of drug paraphernalia, was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Witnesses at the scene reported that two men had fled the residence before deputies arrived. One of the witnesses, Aaron Patrick Reavis, later informed investigators that Lunsford had shot Wagoner. Reavis stated that he fled the scene because he feared for his own safety.
Lunsford later turned himself in to the Iredell County Sheriff's Office and admitted to shooting a rifle. He claimed he ran from the scene because he was a convicted felon and feared the consequences. Based on witness statements and evidence collected at the crime scene, Lunsford was arrested and held without bond at the Iredell County Detention Center. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wagoner's death revealed that Lunsford's criminal history included multiple misdemeanor charges, further complicating the case.
The tragic death of Jera Lee Wagoner has left the community in shock, as investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the fatal shooting. The case highlights the dangers of gun violence and the impact of criminal behavior on innocent lives. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community awaits justice for Wagoner and her family.
