On March 12, 2024, 29-year-old Justin Cody Starnes was fatally shot during a domestic dispute at a residence on Forest Green Drive in Mineral Springs, near Waxhaw, North Carolina. Union County Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene and found Starnes near the back of the home with a gunshot wound. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Inside the home, deputies discovered a woman, identified as the wife of the assailant, suffering from a severe head injury. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment and was expected to survive.
Investigators quickly identified the suspect as 62-year-old Jeffery Lemmonds, who had fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. He was later apprehended at a relative's home in Monroe. Lemmonds was charged with first-degree murder for the death of Starnes and attempted first-degree murder for the assault on his wife. He was held without bond at the Union County Detention Center.
Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey commented on the incident, stating, "This incident escalated to an unnecessary level when the suspect introduced a gun and fired multiple shots in a reckless manner in an effort to kill members of his own family." He extended thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families as they began to mourn the loss and recover from the injuries sustained.
The investigation was ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with additional information to contact the Union County Sheriff's Office or Union County Crime Stoppers. Sheriff Cathey emphasized the importance of community assistance in such cases to ensure a thorough investigation.
In the wake of this tragedy, family and friends remembered Justin Starnes as a son, nephew, cousin, and friend who instilled in his family the values of love, respect, and compassion. His sense of humor and zest for life were noted as contagious, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew him.
