A late-night gathering in LaGrange reportedly took a violent turn early Sunday when a man fired multiple rounds into his own kitchen, terrifying a 2-year-old and several adults inside, according to officials. Deputies called to the home around 5:30 a.m. said they found five bullet holes in a kitchen wall, blood on the floor and a handgun at the scene.
The suspect, identified by deputies as 36-year-old Roberto Torres Jr., had injuries investigators linked to the blood in the house following a physical altercation with the child’s mother. Torres was arrested and is now facing a stack of charges, the sheriff’s office said.
Charges filed
According to The Charlotte Observer, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office said Torres has been charged with four counts of felony discharging a firearm to incite fear, one count of misdemeanor domestic violence and one count of misdemeanor child abuse.
Investigators said several residents had been at a party at the home and that people had been firing guns outside throughout the night before the early-morning shooting inside the kitchen. A gun was recovered at the residence, according to officials.
What deputies say
In a news release, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were told that gunshots had been fired inside the residence. When they went in, they reported extensive damage throughout the home and confirmed the shots were fired while three adults and the 2-year-old were inside.
Investigators said the blood on the floor was tied to injuries Torres suffered during a physical confrontation with the child’s mother before or during the incident.
Legal context
Under state law, firing a weapon inside an occupied structure, or doing so to “incite fear,” is treated as a felony, with the exact class and penalties depending on the circumstances and whether serious bodily injury occurred. The North Carolina General Statutes outline related offenses and penalty ranges that prosecutors can consider when deciding how to proceed.
Local officials said the case will move forward through the county court system as investigators complete their reporting.
What's next
Torres remains in custody as the case works its way through the courts. The sheriff’s office did not release any information about bond in its statement.
Anyone with video or other information connected to the incident is asked to contact the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, which is leading the investigation. Prosecutors will ultimately determine which charges to pursue as the case file is finalized.
