On May 24, 2024, a tragic incident unfolded in Statesville, North Carolina, resulting in the deaths of 26-year-old Simone Octavia Williams, 36-year-old Brandi Delia Goolsby, and 39-year-old Nicholas Goolsby. The Statesville Police Department responded to a call at approximately 7:19 a.m. reporting a shooting in the 100 block of Bunker Hill Lane. Upon arrival, officers discovered Simone Williams deceased on a neighbor's front porch, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
Witnesses identified the shooter as Nicholas Goolsby, who retreated to his residence following the shooting. Law enforcement quickly established a perimeter around the Goolsby home. With assistance from the Rowan County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, officers utilized a search robot to enter the residence. Inside, they found a 10-month-old child unharmed on the first floor, who was safely removed and later placed in the custody of family members. Continuing their search, authorities located the bodies of Nicholas and his wife, Brandi Goolsby, in an upstairs bedroom. Evidence indicated that Nicholas had fatally shot Brandi before taking his own life.
Investigations revealed that Simone Williams had been residing with Nicholas and Brandi at their Bunker Hill Lane residence. Simone was a dedicated professional in the field of mental health, having earned a degree in Psychology from Western Carolina University and a Master's degree in Counseling from Wake Forest University. She was a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and had worked with the Iredell Health System.
The Statesville Police Department extended its condolences to the families affected by this tragedy and expressed gratitude to the assisting agencies. The investigation concluded that there were no additional suspects involved, and the area was deemed secure.
