An 81-year-old man, Roger Gray Preston, has been charged with the murder of his 77-year-old wife Sandra Cobbler Preston after a shooting incident in Johnston County, as confirmed by law enforcement officials. The tragedy unfolded yesterday afternoon around 4:30 p.m., when deputies responded to a disturbing call from a man who confessed to shooting his wife on the 12000 block of Buffalo Road, north of N.C. 42.
Upon arrival, the deputies were greeted by Roger Preston, who directed them to an RV situated in the front yard where they discovered Sandra Preston's body, as reported by ABC11.
The 81-year-old had remained at the scene, and had told the 911 operator, "I am so sorry, I really loved her ... I just lost it, and I shot her two or three times. It just blew my mind that she would do me like she has," according to the 911 call details provided by WRAL News.
Roger Preston was subsequently charged with murder and is currently being held without bond at the Johnston County Detention Center. The Johnston County Sheriff's Office has not divulged specific motives for the shooting or disclosed prior incidents involving the couple, as described by CBS17.
In a somber revelation, Roger Preston's daughter, whom WRAL News interviewed, shared that her father, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease a few years ago, had been married to her stepmother for over four decades. She expressed deep shock and confusion about the incident, stating, "This seems like a bad dream or a horror movie," and explaining her reaction as "One minute I'm shocked, I'm frozen. I don't know what to do." She also mentioned that the couple had recently returned from a trip, and that she had not been aware of any marital problems between them.
The investigation is still active, with further details awaited as the Johnston County Sheriff's Office proceeds with its work.
