On December 1, 2023, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Craven County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported shooting at 1465 B Street in the Bridgeton community near New Bern, North Carolina. The 911 call was made by a woman who stated that her husband had shot her parents and remained in the residence; she managed to escape unharmed.
Upon arrival, deputies entered the home and discovered the bodies of 88-year-old Billy Dean Rhoades and his wife, 87-year-old Louise Meadows Rhoades, in
the kitchen, both deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. In the garage, they found 53-year-old Younge Enhart Sherrell Jr., the son-in-law of the victims, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Sherrell was transported to CarolinaEast Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
The incident has been classified as a double homicide followed by suicide. According to the Medical Examiner's investigation, the elderly couple appeared to have been caught by surprise when they suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Reports indicate that Sherrell had exhibited intermittent psychotic behavior over the two months leading up to the tragedy, including hearing voices, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and agitation. On the evening of the incident, his wife observed him becoming increasingly agitated, seemingly arguing with unseen entities while alone in their backyard. Shortly after, while she and her parents were in the kitchen finishing dinner, she heard gunfire and witnessed her parents being shot. She immediately fled to a neighbor's house to call 911.
Inside the residence, multiple firearms were found, including a 9mm handgun used by Sherrell to take his own life, as well as other weapons that were stored and not associated with the incident. There was no known motive, history of arguments, or prior threats made by Sherrell toward the victims. A home video surveillance system captured footage of Sherrell walking through the house with an AR-15 rifle in hand prior to the shootings, though the actual events were not recorded.
This tragic event has deeply affected the New Bern community, leaving family members and neighbors in mourning as they grapple with the sudden loss of Billy and Louise Rhoades. The investigation concluded with the determination that Sherrell acted alone in the commission of these acts, and no further arrests or suspects are being sought in connection with this case.
