Rosa Speagle, a 23-year-old woman from Sanford, NC, tragically lost her life on December 8, 2003, in a murder-suicide incident. Rosa, who was a student at Central Carolina Community College, was abducted by her ex-boyfriend, Gregory Schultz, from the college campus. Schultz, who had a history of violence, kidnapped Rosa at gunpoint, dragged her into nearby woods, and fatally shot her before turning the gun on himself.
Witnesses reported that Schultz was waiting for Rosa after her class
at the fitness building on campus. He grabbed her by the hair and forced her into the woods. The first responding officer arrived quickly and saw Schultz forcing Rosa across the road. Schultz then shot Rosa in a wooded area near the school before shooting himself in a field. Schultz was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Rosa's family and friends were devastated by the loss. Her father, James Speagle, and mother, Betty Speagle, expressed their grief and disbelief. Rosa's friend, David Jernigan, who was present at the college campus during the abduction, tried to intervene but was unable to prevent the tragedy. Rosa leaves behind a young child.
The incident shocked the community and led to increased security measures at the college. Counselors were made available to support students and staff affected by the traumatic event. The police investigation revealed that Schultz had been stalking Rosa and was unable to cope with their recent breakup. Despite his history of violence, Schultz's mother, Deborah Schultz-McKay, was surprised by his actions and believed he needed professional help.
