On January 3, 2025, at approximately 1:50 PM, a fatal shooting occurred at a residence in the 300 block of Longleaf Drive, located in the Seven Lakes West subdivision of West End, North Carolina. The victim, Rachael Loken, was in another room of the house when she was struck in the chest by a gunshot. Despite immediate CPR efforts by first responders at the scene, she did not survive.
According to the Moore County Sheriff's Office, the shot was fired by her husband, Christopher Loken, who was identified as a volunteer firefighter with the West End Fire Department and a recent military retiree. Rachael herself was described as a decorated soldier who had honorably served the country for over 15 years prior to her death.
While the incident was initially reported as an accidental shooting, the Moore County Sheriff's Office, led by Chief Deputy Andy Conway, stated they were "examining all aspects of the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding her death." As of the initial reports, investigators were actively working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting. No arrests were reported in connection with the incident, though the investigation remained ongoing.
West End Fire & Rescue Chief Erik Stromberg confirmed the connection to their department, as Christopher Loken was an active volunteer fireman with WEFD at the time of the incident. The tragic event prompted the establishment of a GoFundMe page to support the family in the days following the shooting.
