Robert Jacob Stewart, a 23-year-old male from Swannanoa, North Carolina, tragically passed away on February 11, 2018. He was born on February 21, 1994, in Buncombe County. Robert, also known as "Jake," worked in the construction business and was of the Christian faith. He was survived by his parents, Robert W. Stewart and Laura Creasman, his sister, Morgan Lee Stewart, and his grandparents, Dennis and Melba Creasman, and Bobby and Peggy Stewart.
The circumstances surrounding Robert Jacob
Stewart's death were tragic and violent. On the night of February 11, 2018, Cameron Ellis McElrath, a friend of Robert's, visited his home in Swannanoa. McElrath brought a 12-gauge shotgun with him and showed it to a witness, asking about potential modifications. Witnesses reported that Robert and McElrath had an argument, during which McElrath racked the shotgun and fired it twice at Robert, hitting him once in the head. Both men were reportedly using methamphetamine at the time of the incident.
Following the shooting, McElrath fled the scene and was later apprehended by law enforcement. He was initially charged with first-degree murder but later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. On September 16, 2019, McElrath was sentenced to 240-300 months in prison by Superior Court Judge Tommy Davis. During the sentencing, Robert's family gave powerful statements of remembrance, expressing their grief and loss.
The case highlights the devastating impact of gun violence and substance abuse on individuals and their communities. Robert Jacob Stewart's untimely death serves as a somber reminder of the importance of addressing these issues to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
