WCTI
October 3, 2014
Investigators have released the names of both men killed during a home invasion in Onslow County early Tuesday morning. They say the intruder killed the homeowner, but another person inside the residence then killed the suspect.
The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office said 19-year-old Willie Ware, of Hubert, was the intruder who went to 21-year-old Jeremiah Dawayn Hilton’s home on Riggs Road in Hubert. It happened at about 1:21 a.m. Tuesday.
Hilton and his wife were living at the home, along with his wife’s four children.
Ware allegedly shot and killed Hilton, but another person inside the home then shot and killed Ware, according to the sheriff’s deputies. Both men were found inside the home – dead from gunshot wounds – when deputies arrived at the scene.
Investigators are now saying that Ware was the only intruder in the home invasion. They had previously said that there were several intruders.
The Sheriff’s Office said it is working closely with District Attorney Ernie Lee to determine if criminal charges will be filed. Anyone with information is asked to call the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office at 910-455-3113 or Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273.
As of Tuesday night, it was unclear who shot Ware. NewsChannel 12 asked sheriff’s officials, but they said they couldn’t comment because the investigation is ongoing.
Investigators said they interviewed between eight to 10 people to determine a motive for the shooting. But interviewees gave conflicting statements, authorities said.
Crime scene investigators remained at Hilton’s home until Tuesday afternoon. Authorities seized six dogs from the residence.
NewsChannel 12 was told Hilton’s wife and her four children have left the home and are staying with family members.