On December 6, 2023, in Newport, North Carolina, 46-year-old motel owner Satyen Naik, also known as "Baca," was fatally shot at his establishment, the Hostess House. The incident began around 10 a.m. when Naik contacted authorities to report a trespasser on the property. During the 911 call, a disturbance was audible, followed by reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found Naik with a gunshot wound; he was transported to Carteret Health Care, where he was later pronounced dead.
The suspect, identified as 59-year-old Troy Leon Kellum, had been squatting at the motel and other locations in the area. After the shooting, Kellum barricaded himself inside one of the motel rooms, prompting the involvement of the Special Response Team (SRT). Negotiators attempted for several hours to persuade Kellum to surrender peacefully. During this time, nearby schools were placed on a soft lockdown as a precaution.
When negotiations failed, the SRT breached the room around 1:30 p.m. Upon entry, they found that Kellum had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities confirmed that Kellum had a history of squatting and was considered homeless at the time of the incident. He had previously been charged with obtaining property by false pretenses in October 2020.
The tragic event has left the Newport community in shock, highlighting the dangers faced by small business owners dealing with unauthorized occupants. Naik's family-owned and operated the Hostess House, and his untimely death has prompted discussions about safety and support for local entrepreneurs.
