On August 11, 2024, a tragic incident unfolded in Sharpsburg, North Carolina, resulting in the death of 6-year-old Zoey Jones. The events began around 5 a.m. when authorities responded to reports of shots fired at a home in the 100 block of Weaver Circle in the Weaver Estates community. The shooting was part of a domestic violence incident that left multiple victims injured or dead.
Zoey Jones was critically injured during the shooting and was taken to the hospital.
Despite undergoing surgery, she succumbed to her injuries the following day, on August 12, 2024. The young girl's mother, 27-year-old Kiera Massenburg, was also killed in the incident.
The suspect in this tragic case was identified as 32-year-old DaQuan Marcato Jones, Zoey's father. After the initial shooting in Sharpsburg, Jones fled the scene with Zoey and Massenburg in his car. He drove nearly 20 miles to a home on Jamie Road in Nash County, where he dropped off the critically injured Zoey.
Law enforcement later found Jones dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a bedroom of a house he owned in Nash County. Massenburg's body was discovered in the backseat of Jones' car, which was parked in the driveway of the Nash County residence.
The incident also resulted in injuries to two other individuals: 30-year-old Devonte Ricks and 27-year-old Makyah Page, who were friends of Massenburg and Jones. Ricks was reported to be in critical but stable condition, while Page was released from the hospital.
Court records revealed a history of domestic violence between Jones and Massenburg. In November 2023, Jones was arrested for threatening Massenburg, telling her, "You think I'm playing, I'm gonna hurt you". More recently, in July 2024, Jones was arrested for assaulting Massenburg, allegedly punching her in the face, knocking out several teeth, and breaking her nose.
Notably, Jones had been released from Edgecombe County Detention Center on August 10, 2024, just hours before the tragic events unfolded. He had been serving time for the July 2024 assault charge. Records also showed that Massenburg had put up the collateral to secure Jones' release from jail.
The community was left shocked and saddened by this devastating incident. Wilson County Sheriff Calvin Woodard expressed his dismay, stating that Jones' actions had "restricted a child from having a chance to enjoy life, play with dolls, go to prom and tell her mother that she loves her every day". The tragedy has sparked discussions about the need for greater protections for victims of domestic violence in North Carolina.
