Man killed at Catawba County pool party was shot accidentally, authorities say
The man killed during a mass shooting at a Catawba County pool party was accidentally shot by a person returning fire in self-defense at shooters on a hillside, Catawba County sheriff’s Major Aaron Turk said Tuesday.
As a result, no murder charge will be filed in the death of 58-year-old Lenoir resident Shawn Patrick Hood, Turk said during a news conference at the Catawba County Hall of Justice. Hood’s family has been told about the findings, Turk said.
Each of six suspects charged recently with attempted first-degree murder were affiliated with a gang, Turk said, but not necessarily the same gang. A grand jury indicted all six on 63 counts of the charge Monday, court records show.
The shooting was planned days in advance, according to search warrants in Catawba County Criminal Superior Court. One person vowed to “shoot the place up” and another person said he would shoot one person in particular, the warrants show.
“There have been several admissions of gang motivations for this attack,” Turk said. “We also understand that was not the only motivation for the attack.” He didn’t elaborate on other possible motives.
Some at the party also were affiliated with gangs, Turk said, but “whether it was gang-on-gang is still unclear to us. That has not been determined. It’s not that straightforward or clear cut.”
Eleven people were shot at the party, and a 12th was hurt leaving the scene, he said.
The party at 1125 Walnut Acres Drive in Mountain View was advertised on social media. The shooters fired 80 bullets into the crowd of over 100 people from a hillside, police said.
An 18-year-old woman was charged with accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder.
Two other men were charged with allowing alcohol to minors as part of the party planning.
Authorities previously said the shooting may have been part of a gang initiation.
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM.