On May 12, 2024, at approximately 5:04 p.m., deputies from the Guilford County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported homicide in the 7800 block of Eversfield Road in Stokesdale, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 38-year-old Troy Scott Surface suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
The following day, May 13, 2024, authorities arrested 18-year-old John Austin Cain in Rockingham County.
Cain was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Surface's death and was held without bond pending his initial court appearance.
During Cain's court appearance, it was revealed that Surface had been in a vehicle with Cain, Cain's mother, and Cain's girlfriend prior to the shooting. Reports indicated that Surface, allegedly under the influence of methamphetamine and heroin, became aggressive and assaulted the two women. Cain claimed that Surface threatened to kill him and the two women, prompting Cain to shoot Surface approximately six times in what he described as self-defense.
In addition to the events surrounding his death, records indicate that Surface had a prior arrest on April 3, 2023, in Guilford County for misdemeanor assault on a female.
A memorial service for Surface was held on May 26, 2024, at Simplicity Chapel in Asheboro, North Carolina, where family and friends gathered to pay their respects.
