On the night of December 25, 2025, a violent incident occurred in Laurinburg, North Carolina, resulting in the death of Keonta Pate, a 21-year-old male. The shooting took place at approximately 11:00 p.m. within the McIntosh Apartments complex located on Hood Street. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene following reports of gunfire, where they discovered the victim suffering from a critical gunshot wound.
He was immediately transported to Scotland Memorial Hospital for emergency treatment, but medical personnel were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
Investigators with the Laurinburg Police Department determined that the fatal encounter stemmed from a domestic dispute during a holiday gathering. According to police reports, a verbal altercation broke out between Pate and his mother's boyfriend inside the residence. The argument escalated rapidly, leading to the discharge of a weapon that claimed the life of the young victim. The event cast a shadow over the Christmas holiday for the local community and the victim's grieving family.
Following the initial investigation, law enforcement officers identified and arrested a suspect in connection with the homicide. Maurice Deshawn McCoy, identified as the boyfriend of the victim's mother, was taken into custody by police. Authorities confirmed that McCoy was detained regarding the shooting death, and he was processed into the legal system to face charges related to the incident.
