Karting Pro Gunned Down in Targeted Home Invasion
A promising kart racing champion was tragically shot and killed in front of his fiancée during a violent home invasion in North Carolina. Tyler Weaver, 25, was discovered inside his Forest City home with multiple gunshot wounds on the morning of October 24 and was declared dead at the scene.
A Terrifying Ordeal and Swift Arrests
Forest City Police Chief Chris LeRoy confirmed to the Daily Mail that Weaver's girlfriend, Nevaeh Quintero, was home at the time of the attack and was the person who placed the frantic 911 call. Chief LeRoy described the incident as a 'robbery gone bad' and stated that the deadly tragedy was a 'targeted' attack.
Following an extensive search of the wooded area near the property, law enforcement apprehended two suspects three days later. Quitez Lamare Watkins, 35, of Lawndale, and Jaquavious Antwan Craig, 26, of Grover, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Watkins was taken into custody by US Marshals, while Craig turned himself in at the Rutherford County Detention Center. Both men are currently being held without bond.
A Life of Achievement and a Legacy of Kindness
Tyler Weaver was not only a skilled electrical tradesman but also a celebrated athlete in the world of kart racing. He famously won the 2018 Maxxis Kart Racing National Championship twice, a significant achievement marking him as a top talent.
His family and the racing community have been left devastated. His sister, Taylor Weaver, expressed her profound grief on Facebook, writing, 'Losing my brother has been the hardest thing we’ve ever gone through. He was such a kind, beautiful soul with the biggest heart and he was taken from us far too soon.'
His mother, Amanda Rogers Smith, shared a heartbreaking tribute, stating her son 'didn't deserve this' and that he 'had a heart of gold, always willing to lend a helping hand.' Maxxis Kart Racing North America also honoured him, noting he was 'one of the most proud champions we’ve ever had, and his legacy will always be part of the Maxxis family.'
The two accused men, Watkins and Craig, both have extensive criminal histories. Records show Watkins has prior charges including assault with a deadly weapon and drug trafficking, while Craig has faced felony charges for armed robbery and assaulting a female.
