On September 6, 2024, a tragic incident occurred at the Rountree Family Mortuary in Greenville, North Carolina, resulting in the death of 34-year-old Terence Eduardo Rountree Jr. The Greenville Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the mortuary, located near the intersection of Dickinson Avenue and 14th Street, around 4 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found Terence with a gunshot wound; he was transported to ECU Health Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigations revealed that the shooting stemmed from a dispute between Terence and his younger brother, 26-year-old Tyler Rountree, within their family's funeral home. Sources indicated that Terence had a history of aggressive behavior towards Tyler, dating back to their childhood. On the day of the incident, a physical altercation escalated, leading to Tyler fatally shooting Terence.
The case was reviewed by the Pitt County District Attorney's Office, which concluded that Tyler acted in self-defense. Consequently, no charges were filed against him. The family and community were left to mourn the loss of Terence, with public viewing and funeral services held at the Rountree Family Mortuary and Philippi Church of Christ, respectively. Terence was laid to rest in Homestead Memorial Gardens in Greenville.
