Three people fatally shot in Rocky Mount

Rocky Mount, N.C. — Police are investigating the fatal shooting of three people at 916 B Benvenue Road in Rocky Mount.

Police received a call at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in reference to a shooting at a mobile home, near U.S. Highway 64.

Upon arrival, officers found the bodies of Lynda Schowengerdt, 56; William Wesley “Wes” Schowengerdt, 53; and Alexander “Alex” Walker, 21.

Witnesses told police that Wes Schowengerdt and his stepson, Walker, had been arguing when Wes Schowengerdt shot Walker with a handgun.

Wes Schowengerdt then shot his wife, Lynda, and then shot himself on the front porch of the home, according to witnesses.

Dennis Pettaway, who works near the shooting scene, said when he first heard the gunshot he thought it was a firecracker.

"I heard one (gunshot) first, then I heard a lady holler. And then ... I heard another pop,” Pettaway recalled.

Paramedics transported Walker to Nash General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Schowengerdts were pronounced dead at the residence.

"It is crazy,” Walker’s cousin, Wade Cherry, said.

However, Cherry said he was not completely surprised by what happened. There had been arguments before between stepson and stepfather, people at the scene told WRAL News.

Police said Wednesday evening that their investigation into the shooting continued.

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Latest Comments

That's just awful. I was chatting with her yesterday. RIP Lynda

dewolfson
July 9, 2009 2:25 p.m.

Perhaps in a fit of rage, the step father shot his step son, and realizing the horrific thing he had just done, shot the mother and then took his own life. Who knows what he was thinking at the time? The fact remains that 3 people are dead, and the family and friends now have to face this reality. Hopefully they will eventually find peace.

pulstar40
July 9, 2009 1:49 p.m.

Very sad situation.

The comments made regarding little crime in more upscale areas I generally would agree with. But most people in Rocky Mount can tell you that there really isn't any area that is safe from criminals. Yes, downtown is where most of the crime--especially violent crime--is concentrated.

However, those of us who possibly live in "good" neighborhoods still have to exist in the city don't we? We have to go to gas stations, the mall, grocery stores, etc. I don't know anyone who feels safe going to Wal-Mart alone here. And the mall? Forget it! The city has become infested with gangs and drugs, and all the crime that comes along with that.

emeraldgirl
July 9, 2009 1:21 p.m.

Rocky Mount has become such a joke.

westoflyra
July 9, 2009 12:57 p.m.

it's a shame this family resorts to guns to settle family differences.

packmom
July 9, 2009 11:29 a.m.