Police Suspect Shooting-Suicide in Fayetteville
Officers found the body of Terry Thaggard, 23, in a vehicle shortly after 11:30 a.m. Monday. Thaggard was wanted for questioning in the shooting of his girlfriend, police said.
Posted — UpdatedWitnesses said Thaggard shot himself in the head.
The shooting victim, Marsheena Melvin, 26, was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and then transported to UNC Hospitals, where her condition was unknown Monday night.
"They always fought, always,” family friend Diana Hopkins said of the couple.
"One of the ladies came running over and she said Terry just shot himself. And I ran to the car,” said Pastor Vernard Whitfield of Righteous Guide Church.
Friends said Thaggard had a troubled past, including involvement with drugs. But his pastor said he recently got a job and was straightening up – for his sons' sake.
"He was working on it. I don't know what led him to this place of despair,” Whitfield said.
Thaggard left behind three young boys.
• Credits
Copyright 2023 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
