Authorities have identified Garon Nathaniel Killian, 20, of Lenoir, as the suspect in a mass shooting that left one person dead and 11 others injured at a party in Catawba County on Sunday.
According to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Killian allegedly opened fire during a gathering on Walnut Acres Drive, shooting 12 people. One of the victims, 58-year-old Shawn Hood, also from Lenoir, was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office released a statement confirming Killian’s identity and announcing charges against him.
“Garon Nathaniel Killian (20) of Lenoir, NC, has been taken into custody in relation to the mass shooting on Walnut Acres Dr. Killian has been charged with one (1) count of Attempted First Degree Murder. Killian is being held under no bond in the Newton Detention Facility and has a first appearance in Catawba County District Court on 06/04/2025,” the sheriff's office wrote in a Facebook post.
"Law enforcement executed multiple search warrants on Tuesday as part of the ongoing investigation. Arrests of additional suspects are anticipated. We do not anticipate releasing any additional information tonight."
Deputies first responded to the Walnut Acres Drive residence around 11 p.m. Saturday following a noise complaint. After addressing the issue, they left the scene. Approximately two hours later, deputies, alongside officers from the Hickory Police Department, returned to the same home after receiving multiple reports of a shooting.
At the scene, authorities discovered 12 victims. One, Shawn Hood, was deceased. The remaining 11 victims were transported to local hospitals.
As of Monday evening, seven victims remained hospitalized, with one listed in critical condition. The ages of the victims range from 16 to 58.
The motive for the shooting has not yet been disclosed.
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit. Read More
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