Teen and Man Charged with Murder in North Carolina

Authorities in North Carolina have charged a 16-year-old girl and a 28-year-old man with murder after three family members of the girl were found shot dead in their home, according to a press conference held on Friday.

Starr Grant, 16, and Devon O’Neal Loving, 28, are both facing three counts of first-degree murder along with conspiracy to commit murder, as reported by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.

Because of the nature of the crime, Grant will be tried as an adult. In North Carolina, being charged with a Class A felony could lead to life in prison or even the death penalty.

The grim discovery occurred on Thursday evening when deputies were called for a welfare check at a residence on Ashworth Drive in Fairview. It seems relatives requested the check as they hadn’t heard from their loved ones.

Earlier in the week, deputies had conducted two preliminary welfare checks but lacked sufficient evidence to enter the home until this third attempt.

After gaining access, deputies found the bodies of Travis Eugene Grant, 41, Kimberly Michelle Grant, 42, and Sharon Harwood Grant, 66. All three had died from gunshot wounds. Authorities confirmed that Starr is the daughter of Travis and Kimberly Grant, and the granddaughter of Sharon Grant.

Upon realizing that the 16-year-old was missing, law enforcement agencies, including the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, worked together to track down Grant and Loving across state lines.

They were arrested in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, just before 6 a.m. on Friday while at a hotel. Grant and Loving, residents of Buncombe County, are currently awaiting extradition back to North Carolina.

As of Friday afternoon, no motive for the killings has been disclosed, but authorities have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

This situation is still developing, so further updates are expected soon.