Hunter Curtis, a 22-year-old male from Franklin, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on March 26, 2016. The incident occurred during a domestic dispute at the Curtis household. Hunter's father, Tony Curtis, shot him during an altercation that escalated due to Hunter's intoxicated state. Monica Curtis, Hunter's mother, made a distressed call to 911 around 10:30 p.m., requesting emergency responders to their Stonecreek Drive residence.
The call was filled with sobbing and background noise of a verbal and physical altercation. Monica informed dispatch that Hunter was heavily intoxicated and Tony had recently undergone eye surgery.
When a deputy arrived at the scene, Monica was waiting outside the home. Inside, the deputy found Tony Curtis standing in a doorway with bloodstains on his body and left ear. Tony led the deputy to a bathroom where Hunter was lying in the tub with a gunshot wound to his stomach. Despite efforts to provide medical care, Hunter succumbed to his injuries later that night at Angel Medical Center. Tony Curtis admitted to shooting his son, explaining that Hunter had come home intoxicated and an argument ensued. Tony retrieved a firearm from a bedroom drawer during the altercation.
The Macon County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the incident. Sheriff Robert Holland noted that there were clear signs of fear within the household during the dispute. Hunter Curtis had a history of trouble with the law, and investigators believed that alcohol and drug addiction played a significant role in the tragic event. Despite the ongoing investigation, no charges were filed against Tony Curtis at the time. The Curtis family, known for their local business Curtis TV/Radio Shack, mourned the loss of Hunter, who was remembered for his love of music, big trucks, and dirt bikes.
Hunter's death left the small community of Franklin reeling, as law enforcement continued to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting. The family held funeral services for Hunter on March 31, 2016, at Discover Church, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorial donations to Teen Challenge, an organization dedicated to combating alcohol and drug addiction.
