Father believed to have shot girlfriend, daughter was released from jail day before shooting

The man at the center of a quadruple shooting in eastern North Carolina had just gotten out of jail a day before the tragedy.

Daquan Jones had a history of lashing out at the woman police say he killed. Jones was released Saturday from Edgecombe County jail, according to court records, on assault charges. Hours after his release, lives were changed forever in a murder-suicide that left a girl without her parents and fighting for her life in a hospital.

Court documents show Daquan Jones was arrested by Rocky Mount police for communicating threats against Kiera Massenburg on Nov. 11, 2023. That was exactly nine months before Sunday’s shooting, which authorities said came after numerous domestic disputes throughout Jones and Massenburg’s relationship.

In an Edgecombe County report from the 2023 incident, Daquan Jones is said to have told Massenburg, “Do you think I’m playing? I’m gonna hurt you.”

Daquan Jones was also convicted in 2019 for assault on a female and false imprisonment.

Additionally, on July 15, 2024, Daquan Jones was charged with felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury for allegedly assaulting Massenburg. Police said Daquan Jones punched Massenburg in the face during that altercation, knocking out her teeth and fracturing her nose.

Authorities believe Daquan Jones shot Massenburg, his 27-year-old girlfriend; their 6-year-old daughter, Zoey Jones, and two friends before dawn on Sunday at a home on Weavers Circle in Sharpsburg. Daquan Jones shot and killed himself when Nash County deputies arrived, according to Sheriff Keith Stone.

Massenburg was found dead in Jones’ car, after he told friends she was sleeping. Zoey Jones is said to be on life support at the hospital. Devonte Ricks and Makyah Page were also shot. Ricks is in critical condition while Page is recovering at Vidant Hospital.

Authorities said Sunday morning’s shooting came after a domestic violence attack.

Nash County deputies found Massenburg dead in the backseat of Daquan Jones’ car at a home on Jamie Road.

A shot rang out, and deputies found Daquan Jones dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot in a bedroom. Investigators believe Daquan Jones killed Massenburg and then himself. A bullet hole was visible in the window of the home where Daquan Jones took his life.

Wilson County Sheriff Calvin Woodard released a statement on the shooting.

“An incident like this is disheartening to the community and to the families that will endure this pain for the rest of their lives,” Woodward said. “This does not make any sense when you see someone who could’ve taken a second chance in life to change his behavior.

“His actions have restricted a child from having a chance to enjoy life, play with dolls, go to prom and tell her mother that she loves her every day. Prayers definitely go out to the family as the system needs to work more to protect innocent people from gun violence. ”

A GoFundMe for Massenburg had raised more than $13,000 as of Monday afternoon.

“It’s like a Lifetime movie,” said Shuan Alston, a friend of Daquan Jones, about the shooting.