Caleb Loper, 24, was found dead on March 9, 2024, in a residence on Home Drive near Mooresville, North Carolina. He and 22-year-old Eduardo Cordova of Mooresville were discovered restrained and had suffered fatal gunshot wounds; a third person at the scene was critically injured and taken to hospital.

Investigators identified 39-year-old Justin Michael Strawser as a suspect. When deputies went to Strawser’s home on Ostwalt Amity Road he barricaded himself inside with four juveniles and fired at officers with an AR-15. After hours of negotiations deputies introduced gas; the juveniles exited but Strawser then came out wearing a bulletproof vest and continued firing. Deputies returned fire and Strawser was killed. Authorities say the homicides were not random and that the victims and Strawser knew each other; narcotics and robbery were listed as possible motives.

Strawser’s 40-year-old wife, Ashlee Louise Klepfer, was arrested and charged with felony accessory after the fact and multiple counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, among other offenses. Three juveniles were also taken into custody and face multiple charges, including first-degree murder for a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old. The State Bureau of Investigation is handling the inquiry into the officer-involved shooting and deputies involved were placed on administrative leave. If anyone knew Caleb Loper or has information about the events at the Home Drive residence, please come forward.