Catawba County Mass Shooting: Arrests Made, Suspects Sought After Deadly House Party Violence
CATAWBA COUNTY, NC – June 3, 2025 — A tragic and chaotic scene unfolded over the weekend in Catawba County when a pool party turned into a mass shooting that left one person dead and at least 11 others injured. As law enforcement intensifies its investigation, several individuals have been arrested or named in connection with the violence, which took place in the early hours of Sunday, June 1, at a residence on Walnut Acres Drive near the Mountain View community.
The shooting, which erupted around 12:45 a.m., stunned the region and prompted a multi-agency investigation led by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, working in conjunction with the FBI, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and local authorities. Officials report that at least 80 gunshots were fired during the incident, which authorities are calling a “mass shooting.”
Arrests and Charges So Far
Authorities began making arrests earlier this week and are actively pursuing several others in connection with the shooting. Charges range from attempted murder to underage alcohol violations and accessory charges.
Attempted First-Degree Murder Charges
-
Garon Killian, 20, of Lenoir, was the first suspect arrested. He is charged with attempted first-degree murder and is believed to be one of the individuals who initiated gunfire at the party.
-
Toland Huff Jr. was arrested the following day and also charged with attempted first-degree murder. He is accused of firing alongside Killian in the attack that turned a neighborhood party into a warzone.
Alcohol-Related Offenses
Authorities arrested two individuals they believe were responsible for organizing the party, which was reportedly attended by many underage individuals, including minors:
-
Raekwon Craig, 21, of Taylorsville
-
Patrick Tolbert, 22, of Hickory
Both Craig and Tolbert were charged with three counts of aiding and abetting underage alcohol possession by someone over the age of 21. Craig is being held without bond, while Tolbert was issued a $10,000 secured bond. Law enforcement confirmed that the party was promoted online and that alcohol was openly distributed among underage attendees.
Accessory to Attempted Murder
-
Zoe Braswell, 18, of Caldwell County, was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder. Details surrounding her involvement remain unclear at this time, but authorities are continuing to investigate her role in the aftermath of the shooting.
Suspects Still at Large
Authorities have identified two more individuals wanted for attempted murder and one as a person of interest:
-
Zachary Bates, 22, of Morganton, is currently wanted for attempted murder. Officials are asking the public to assist in locating him but warn that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
-
Ke’Andre Mack, 19, of Hickory, is also wanted for attempted murder and remains at large. Like Bates, he is considered armed and dangerous.
-
Izaiah Mitchell, 18, of Morganton, has been labeled a person of interest in the shooting. Authorities noted that Mitchell is also wanted in connection with a robbery with a dangerous weapon out of Burke County. He, too, is considered armed and dangerous.
Chaos at the Party
The event, promoted on social media, was billed as a pool party and drew a large crowd, many of whom were young adults and minors. Witnesses reported confusion and panic when shots rang out, sending partygoers scrambling for cover. Police later recovered shell casings from multiple firearms, indicating that numerous shooters may have been involved.
What began as a celebratory gathering ended in devastation, leaving one person dead and dozens traumatized. Officials have not yet released the name of the deceased.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Response
The investigation remains active and fluid. Law enforcement continues to release updates as arrests are made and evidence is processed. Authorities have emphasized that more charges may be forthcoming as they work to understand the full scope of the attack and the roles played by various individuals.
The community has responded with shock, grief, and anger. Many residents have called for greater oversight of unregulated parties and for stricter enforcement of underage drinking laws. Local leaders have also voiced concerns about gun violence and the ease with which firearms continue to end up in the hands of young people.
Public Assistance Requested
The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about the shooting or the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and authorities stress that even small details could be crucial in resolving the case.
As the community reels from this senseless act of violence, authorities are determined to ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families. The road to healing will be long, but law enforcement and local leaders say they are committed to ensuring that such a tragedy does not happen again.