Gregory Pearce, 43, of Jacksonville, North Carolina, was shot to death on August 27, 2016, at the home of Monica Rose Smith. According to investigators, Monica’s estranged husband, Staff Sgt. Cody Wade Smith, 33, arrived at the residence carrying a backpack that contained rope, two loaded firearms, duct tape, and matches. He restrained Monica and used her cell phone to summon Pearce. When Pearce arrived, he was shot four times and killed. Cody Smith then set the house on fire and untied Monica.

During the ordeal Monica obtained the handgun used in the shooting and fired one shot, killing Cody Smith. Autopsies confirmed both Pearce and Cody Smith died from gunshot wounds. The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office treated the case as a homicide; the district attorney declined to charge Monica Smith, finding she acted in self-defense and had an objectively reasonable fear of imminent death or serious bodily injury. The Smith children were not at home when the incident occurred.