MOORESVILLE, N.C. – A tragic and violent incident unfolded in Iredell County, where a man allegedly bound and killed several individuals in a home before engaging in a standoff with law enforcement while barricaded with multiple children present, according to deputies.
The evening commenced when authorities received a report of gunshots at a residence on Home Drive near Bailey Road on Saturday. Upon arriving at the scene, deputies discovered two individuals deceased inside the home and a third individual suffering from a gunshot wound on the back porch.
Witnesses described seeing three unidentified men wearing ski masks entering the residence before the violent events transpired. The victims were found bound and restrained.
Law enforcement’s investigation led them to another location on Ostwalt Amity Road, where the suspect, identified as Justin Michael Strawser, barricaded himself inside a home with four children, initiating a standoff with deputies. Strawser allegedly fired at officers with a rifle during the confrontation.
Following unsuccessful negotiations, authorities resorted to gassing the residence in an attempt to apprehend the suspect. The children safely exited the premises, and Strawser was fatally shot by deputies as he attempted to flee while wearing a bulletproof vest.
The victims were identified as Eduardo Cordova, 22, and Caleb Loper, 24. Investigators suspect a possible connection between the incident and drugs or robbery, given the prior association between the victims and the suspect.
Additional suspects involved in the violence remain unidentified at this time. The tragic event left a community in mourning and raised questions about the motive behind the heinous act that resulted in multiple fatalities and a tense standoff with authorities.