A 6-year-old girl named Zoey Jones has passed away from her injuries after being shot by her 32-year-old father, Daquan Marcato Jones, early on Sunday morning.
In a tragic murder-suicide, Daquan also killed Zoey’s 27-year-old mother, Kiera Massenburg. Additionally, he shot two other individuals before taking his own life.
The tragedy has left a family and a community across two counties in mourning.
The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office reported that the initial incident occurred around 5 a.m. Sunday morning on Weaver Circle in Sharpsburg. Upon arrival, police discovered a male victim, The North Carolina Beat has identified as Devonte Ricks, lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. Makyah Page, 27, a friend of Massenburg, was also found shot.
Suspect was just released from jail on domestic violence against girlfriend
Sources with knowledge of the incident told The North Carolina Beat that Daquan had been in jail for domestic violence against Massenburg. She had recently relocated from an apartment they shared at Jeffries Cove Apartments in Rocky Mount to stay with Page on Weaver Circle in Sharpsburg because of the alleged abuse at the hands of Jones, as per the source.
When Jones was released between Saturday night and Sunday morning, his friend Ricks picked him up. Jones had asked Ricks to drive him to Weaver Circle, where Massenburg and her 6-year-old daughter, Zoey Jones were staying, according to our source. Upon arrival, an altercation broke out, to which Ricks and Page tried to stop. Unfortunately, Jones ended up shooting them.
Police have not disclosed where Ricks and Page was hit at. However, a source close to Ricks told us that he was shot in the chest, while Page was shot in the neck and is currently on life support.
Authorities stated that Jones took Massenburg and their 6-year-old daughter, Zoey, from that home on Weaver Circle and dropped Zoey off at another location before taking Massenburg to his friend’s house on Jamie Road in Battleboro. When deputies arrived at the Jamie Road location, they found Jones dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Massenburg was also found dead in the car with a gunshot wound. Police believe Jones killed his girlfriend before taking his own life.
Sources tell us that Jones’ friend at the Battleboro address was unaware of what Jones’ had just done. Allegedly, he mentioned that Jones was behaving and speaking normally, and the next moment, the police had surrounded his house – just before Jones took his own life.
Suspect has history of abusing Kiera Massenburg
Court documents indicate that Daquan Jones has a significant history with the criminal justice system, particularly regarding his abusive behavior towards his girlfriend, Massenburg. Nine months ago, on November 11, 2023, he was arrested by Rocky Mount Police for making threats against her.
Additional court records from 2023 reveal that Daquan threatened Massenburg, stating, “Do you think I’m playing? I’m gonna hurt you,” according to the police report. On July 15, 2024, he faced felony assault charges for allegedly inflicting serious bodily injury on Massenburg, having reportedly punched her in the face, which resulted in her losing teeth and suffering a fractured nose.
Meanwhile, Ricks and Page remains in the hospital.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Kiera and Zoey, as their family has to lay them to rest. Click HERE to donate.
No further information at this time.
