In a devastating incident in Cary, North Carolina, a 19-year-old man is suspected of fatally shooting his mother and girlfriend before taking his own life. The tragedy unfolded earlier this week and has deeply shaken the community and the families involved.
The victims, identified as 54-year-old Erica Holton and 19-year-old Aminah Guy, were found deceased in the living room of Holton’s home. Erica’s son, Xavier Holton, was discovered upstairs in a bathroom with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with a handgun found in the sink nearby. The grim scene was uncovered by Holton’s husband, Shawn Certain, who immediately called 911 upon returning home from work.
Certain reported to dispatchers that he had been speaking to his wife on the phone when he heard a disturbance and two loud noises, which he described as “pops,” before the call abruptly ended. Unable to reconnect with her, he hurried home, only to find the tragic scene.
Further complicating the investigation, both Certain and Angela Guy, Aminah’s mother, expressed concerns to authorities about Xavier’s mental state. According to them, Xavier had been exhibiting signs of distress, including hearing voices, and had even attempted suicide earlier in the month. This attempt involved him driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph and crashing into a parked car, which led to his brief admission to a mental health facility.
While Cary Police have not officially declared the deaths a double murder-suicide linked to mental health issues, the evidence and family testimonies suggest a poignant narrative of a young man struggling with severe mental health challenges.
The incident has prompted calls for increased awareness and resources for mental health, especially concerning young men. Certain expressed a fervent hope that from this tragedy, awareness can increase and potentially prevent such heartbreaking events in the future.
“This is really a bad situation right now for us, and we don’t want that to happen to nobody else,” Certain told reporters. He emphasized the family’s efforts to seek help for Xavier and the critical need for support systems that can intervene before such tragedies occur.
The community and the families involved are now mourning the loss of three lives, as investigators continue to piece together the events that led to this tragic outcome. The case highlights the vital importance of mental health support and the ongoing need to address such issues openly and effectively within communities.
