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3 dead, 1 hurt after argument at Warren County home ends in stabbing, shooting, suicide

A Warren County man argued with his daughter before fatally stabbing her, shooting her young son and a family friend before turning the gun on himself, law enforcement authorities said Tuesday about a horrific crime that has stunned the community.

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By
Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter,
and
Natalie Matthews, WRAL digital journalist
MANSON, N.C. — A Warren County man argued with his daughter before fatally stabbing her, shooting her young son and a family friend before turning the gun on himself, law enforcement authorities said Tuesday about a horrific crime that has stunned the community.

John D. Hargrove, 52, was pronounced dead Monday at his home on Ellington Road in Manson after a 911 call was made from the residence around 2:15 p.m., Sheriff Johnny Williams said during a news conference.

Hargrove's daughter, Jada Swindell, 21, also died at the scene after she was stabbed to death, the sheriff said.

Authorities said Swindell's 4-year-old son was flown to Duke University Hospital, where he died.

A 15-year-old girl who was also injured was rushed for medical treatment to Duke Hospital, but her condition was not immediately available.

Warren County shooting

The sheriff declined to name the 4-year-old and the teen girl.

Williams also declined to say what prompted the dispute that occurred before the stabbing and shootings but he said his deputies had been called to the home before.

He said Hargrove lived at the home alone so it was unclear if his family was visiting him in the moments before the violence began.

Swindell's sister called 911 from her home in Fayetteville.

"They had called and they were screaming and crying. I guess my sister, her grandfather was hurting them," she said.

At least two people are dead in a triple shooting in Warren County, authorities said Monday afternoon.

Deputies found the victims lying in the floor when they arrived at the home.

"It was a very chaotic situation," Williams said.

Swindell's sister posted an account of the attack online on a GoFundMe page where she said her sister sent hear a chilling text that said, "he's killing us."

"It was shocking. Very shocking. Very, very shocking," said Cynthia Williams, who lives nearby. "Very sad for those families and those kids who are going through that situation."

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