A domestic violence incident in Sharpsburg, North Carolina ended in tragedy on August 11, 2024, when 32-year-old DaQuan Marcato Jones fatally shot his girlfriend, Kiera Massenburg, 27, and their six-year-old daughter, Zoey Jones, before killing himself.
The violence erupted at a residence in the Weaver Estates community of Sharpsburg after an argument between Jones and Massenburg. According to survivors, the situation arose when young Zoey refused to leave the gathering, wanting to stay with her friend, Bella, the five-year-old daughter of Makyah Page. However, Jones insisted that the young girl leave with him, and moments later, as she continued to resist, he became violent. As they prepared to leave the home, Jones shot Zoey first as she sat on her mother’s lap in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Massenburg was shot immediately afterward.
Jones also shot two friends who were present: Makyah Page and Devonte Ricks. Page, who was hit twice in the back of her neck, is being credited with saving her daughter’s life by running into the house for safety, with Jones pursuing her. Her daughter managed to escape by running to a neighbor’s home. Jones then fled the scene with Massenburg and Zoey in his vehicle. Ricks is currently in critical but stable condition at a local hospital. Page has since returned home from the hospital to recover.
According to the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Jones later dropped his daughter Zoey off at a home in Nash County with critical injuries. She was transported to the hospital but tragically died the following evening.
Law enforcement officials pursuing the suspect discovered Massenburg’s body in the backseat of Jones’ car at his residence on Jamie Road in Battleboro, North Carolina, roughly 13-15 miles from Sharpsburg. Shortly after their arrival, they heard a gunshot from inside the home, where Jones was found dead in his bedroom from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Court records revealed that DaQuan Marcato Jones had been released from the Edgecombe County Detention Center just one day before the shootings. He had been charged with assault inflicting serious bodily injury after a July 2024 incident in which he allegedly punched Massenburg, fracturing her nose and knocking out her teeth. Their relationship was marked by repeated incidents of domestic violence, according to authorities.
A GoFundMe page has been established to assist with funeral expenses for Massenburg and Zoey. The page describes her as a devoted mother and Zoey as a bright and innocent soul, noting that their bond was unbreakable. The campaign has raised over $26,000 to support the family.
Domestic violence incidents in North Carolina have reached alarming numbers this year. According to the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 54 domestic violence-related homicides have been recorded in 2024, excluding Massenburg’s death. The state is expected to surpass last year’s total of 73 homicides and the 51 reported in 2022.
To honor Zoey Jones, a community balloon release event is scheduled for Thursday, August 22, at Moe and D’s Restaurant Grill & Bar in Rocky Mount.