MORGANTON, NC — Community Shaken After Weekend Shooting Claims One Life, Leaves Two Others Injured
Tragedy struck the Morganton community on Saturday, May 31, 2025, when gunfire erupted along Kathy Road, leaving one man dead and two others injured. The Burke County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the identities of the victims as the investigation into the violent incident continues in coordination with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
According to authorities, Burke County deputies were dispatched to the 100 block of Kathy Road following reports of a shooting in the area. Upon arrival, they discovered a chaotic scene, with multiple individuals wounded and one victim already transported to a nearby hospital.
That victim, 34-year-old Gregory Adonis Rutherford, was rushed to UNC Health Blue Ridge in a personal vehicle. Tragically, Rutherford was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Known to his loved ones for his warm heart and resilient spirit, Gregory’s death has left his family, friends, and the broader Morganton community in deep mourning.
A second victim, Jerry Jerome Benjamin, 53, was found on the scene by first responders and transported to the hospital by Burke County EMS. As of the latest reports, he remains in stable condition and is expected to recover. Meanwhile, a third individual, Jonathan Michael Benjamin, 24, also suffered gunshot wounds but reportedly declined medical treatment, with authorities stating his injuries are non-life-threatening.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, and investigators have not yet released a motive or identified any suspects. Officials have emphasized that the investigation is active and ongoing. Authorities have not indicated whether the victims knew each other or whether the shooting was targeted or random in nature.
In a statement, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office urged the public to assist in any way possible:
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Gregory Rutherford during this difficult time. We ask anyone with knowledge about this incident to come forward. No detail is too small—it may be the key to justice.”
This violent incident comes on the heels of a recent mass shooting in nearby Catawba County, which left one dead and 11 injured, prompting renewed calls for community vigilance and stronger preventive measures to combat gun violence in the region.
Anyone with information related to the Morganton shooting is encouraged to contact the Burke County Sheriff’s Office at 828-438-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through local crime tip lines.
As the investigation unfolds, residents across Morganton and Burke County are left grieving, reflecting, and hoping for answers in the wake of yet another act of senseless violence. Gregory Rutherford’s life was taken too soon, and two others now carry the physical and emotional scars of that night. The community now turns to law enforcement, justice, and each other in the pursuit of healing and accountability.