Crime
Caswell County Family Shooting Victims Identified as Krystal Kirby Sheppard and Her Son Jeremy Sheppard, Husband Kevin Sheppard Survives
CASWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities continue investigating a deadly family shooting in rural Caswell County that left three people dead, including the suspected gunman, while another family member remains hospitalized with gunshot injuries.
Family members have identified the surviving victim as Kevin Sheppard, who is currently recovering from injuries sustained in the shooting.
Those killed have been identified by relatives as Krystal Kirby Sheppard, Kevin’s wife, and their son, Jeremy Sheppard.
As of now, law enforcement has not officially released the identity of the suspected shooter, and investigators have not announced any criminal charges due to the suspect’s death.
According to the Caswell County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday to a residence on Brooks Road in the Prospect Hill community after receiving reports of a shooting.
When deputies arrived, they discovered four adults suffering from gunshot wounds.
Three people, including the suspected shooter, were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth victim, identified by family members as Kevin Sheppard, was transported to Duke University Hospital for treatment and is reportedly recovering.
During a news conference, Sheriff officials confirmed that everyone involved was a member of the same family and described the incident as an isolated domestic disturbance, adding that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
While investigators have not officially announced a motive, a family member told multiple media outlets that the violence stemmed from an ongoing dispute among siblings over approximately 150 acres of inherited family land.
According to the relative, disagreements over the property had intensified in recent months before the shooting.
Authorities have not confirmed those claims and continue to investigate what led to the deadly confrontation.
Investigators also said they are still working to determine whether the suspected shooter lived at the Brooks Road residence or had traveled there before the attack.
Following the tragedy, allegations surfaced on social media claiming members of the family had sought legal assistance shortly before the shooting.
A man identifying himself as Luigi Febbo, who said he is a relative of the victims, commented on an official North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Facebook post, alleging that family members sought help from the Caswell County Magistrate’s Office the day before the shooting because they feared for their safety.
According to the social media post, the family was allegedly told officials were too busy and asked to return the following day.
The post also referenced Magistrate Rodney Adams, claiming he declined to hear the family’s concerns.
These allegations have not been independently verified, and neither the Caswell County Sheriff’s Office nor the SBI has confirmed that any request for assistance was made or denied before the shooting.
The Caswell County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and several local emergency agencies.
Crime scene investigators continued processing evidence and interviewing witnesses throughout Wednesday as detectives worked to reconstruct the events leading up to the shooting.
Authorities have asked the public to respect the privacy of the grieving family while the investigation remains ongoing.
Officials have not released additional details regarding the suspected shooter’s identity or the exact sequence of events, and more information is expected as the investigation progresses.
Crime
19-year-old Brianna killed in Lincoln shooting, suspect Tyler Benzel charged with first-degree murder
LINCOLN, Neb. — Lincoln police have released additional information about a fatal shooting Tuesday evening that claimed the life of a 19-year-old woman identified as Brianna.
Authorities have identified 37-year-old Tyler Benzel as the suspect in the shooting. According to Lancaster County Jail records, Benzel has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death.
According to Lincoln police, the incident began with a verbal and physical altercation involving Benzel’s wife, Brianna and other individuals.
Investigators said they believe the confrontation was initiated by Benzel’s wife. Police said Benzel later left his residence and approached the group.
Authorities allege that Benzel told the individuals to leave and made verbal threats before raising a firearm and firing at the group. Police said the confrontation and shooting took place away from Benzel’s property.
Officers arrived at the scene within moments and found Brianna suffering from a single gunshot wound.
Officers immediately began providing life-saving medical treatment at the scene. Brianna was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Police recovered a 9mm handgun at the scene. However, investigators said forensic testing is still required to determine whether the recovered firearm was the weapon used in the shooting.
Authorities said they are not currently aware of any other weapons being involved in the incident.
Police said Benzel was cooperative when officers arrived at the scene. Authorities also said Benzel and his wife did not know Brianna or the other individuals involved before the altercation.
Benzel’s wife has not been arrested or charged in connection with the shooting at this time.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue gathering evidence, including forensic testing of the recovered firearm.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Benzel is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.