On August 24, 2007, in Hickory, North Carolina, 31-year-old Catherine Leigh Stearns Smith was fatally shot by her estranged husband, 37-year-old Christopher George Smith. The tragic events unfolded early that morning when Christopher kidnapped his stepmother, Roena Setzer Smith, forcing her to drive around Hickory. He then proceeded to the workplace of his wife, Catherine, where he awaited her arrival.
Upon her arrival, Christopher shot Catherine in the head, leaving her in the street near the business. She was transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries later that day.
Following the shooting, Christopher fled the scene in Catherine's van. Approximately two hours later, he carjacked a Mercedes sports car from a local auto service shop, leading police on a chase through Hickory. The pursuit concluded at Summit Door and Hardware, where Christopher engaged in a shootout with police officers. During the confrontation, he sustained a gunshot wound from an officer before retreating into another room and taking his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.
Catherine, a 31-year-old white female, was a mother of two young boys, aged 2 and 6. She was remembered by family members as a strong-willed and independent woman who cherished spending time with her children, especially at the family's Lake Hickory vacation cottage. In April 2007, she had obtained a domestic violence protection order against Christopher due to his history of violence, which included convictions for robbery with a dangerous weapon and escape from a state prison.
This tragic incident highlights the severe consequences of domestic violence and the importance of protective measures for individuals in abusive relationships.
